HR Manager at Southend High School for Girls

New

Job Reference #

EDV/2026/SHSG/96522

Location

Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 4UZ

Contract Type

Permanent

Contract Term

Full-Time

Salary

£36,926.00 - £40,828.00 Annually (Actual)
These figures include the holiday pay entitlement for someone with less than 5 years' service in a school

Closing Date

Midnight, Wed 18th Mar, 2026

Start Date

May 2026

Positions Available

Positions Available 1

Interview Date(s)

Week commencing 23rd March 2026

Interview Date(s) Week commencing 23rd March 2026

About this Role

We are seeking an experienced, aspirational HR Manager to join us from May 2026. This is a key role within the school, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver an exemplary HR service across our community.

At Southend High School for Girls, we have high expectations and an unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of our pupils. Our values sit at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to create a safe, happy and successful environment for pupils, families, staff and the wider community. We are proud to be a positive, inclusive and supportive workplace where staff wellbeing and professional growth are prioritised.

Southend High School for Girls is an oversubscribed, outstanding selective grammar school.

If you are highly skilled, enthusiastic, ambitious, energetic, and dedicated to raising achievement, and ready for a rewarding new challenge, we would love to hear from you.

As HR Manager, you will:

Be the first point of contact for all HR queries, providing expert advice to staff and leadership.
Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to lead, shape and implement effective HR strategies and policies aligned with the school’s goals and vision.
Manage the school’s HR caseload, ensuring efficient, positive outcomes that nurture strong employee relations.
Manage recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and HR compliance processes.
Maintain robust processes and practices, ensuring full compliance with employment law, data protection legislation and statutory guidance.

The successful candidate will:

Be an experienced HR practitioner, ideally with experience in a school environment, and hold (or be willing to work towards) a CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification.
Have knowledge and understanding of the upcoming employment law changes.
Have excellent numeracy skills.
Ideally, the candidate will have previous experience working in a school environment, including involvement in payroll processes (our payroll is managed via Juniper Services), as well as knowledge of the Green and Burgundy Books.
Be a flexible, positive, proactive team player.
Have excellent attention to detail, strong organisational ability and outstanding communication skills.
Be able to build effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues.

In return, we offer:

The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a well-established, outstanding Grammar school.
Strong support from an experienced and committed Senior Leadership Team.
A commitment to ongoing professional development and staff wellbeing.
Access to high-quality external CPD.
A positive, supportive staff culture with a strong family ethos.

Working Pattern:

5 days per week, 37 hours per week
Monday–Thursday: 8:00am–4:00pm, Friday: 8:00am–3:30pm
30 minute unpaid lunch break
Term time including 5 INSET days, plus three weeks (15 days during school holidays, agreed in advance with your line manager).
Attendance on GCSE results day in August is required; remaining additional days will be scheduled around payroll deadlines and agreed in advance.
The successful candidate will also be required to attend up to four Pay and Personnel Governor meetings per year which will be either taken as TOIL (time off in lieu) or paid.

This is an on-site role, working closely with the Senior Leadership Team to deliver a high-quality HR service across the school.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Please note: We do not accept applications via agencies.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

As we may interview suitable candidates as applications are received, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.