Vacancy for a HR Officer at Ely College 

Salary: Meridian Trust Grade 7, Point 12 £25,193

Hours: 37 hours, 40 weeks (term time plus 10 days)

We have an exciting opportunity to join the team at Ely College as a school-based HR Officer. This key role will provide a wide range of day-to-day transactional and operational HR support to staff and leaders in the school. Key responsibilities will include administering the employee lifecycle, recruitment, managing absence, monthly payroll, maintaining the Single Central Record and maintaining confidential personnel files. The role is very busy and varied, with no two days the same.

The ability to deal with conflicting priorities and multiple interruptions during your day is essential in this role. The post is a key role within the school community with the postholder encouraged to participate in and support whole-school activities. The postholder will work closely with a core HR team who provide support across a hub of schools in the local area. Links with the wider trust HR community are facilitated through bi-weekly online meetings and group training. At least once each year, all HR personnel come together in person for a day of information sharing and professional development. Occasional travel to other Meridian Trust sites will be required.

The Opportunity

• A great chance to work in a large secondary school, and join a respected and admired multi-academy trust with a strong, values-based culture
• The opportunity to work in a professional HR role that is term-time (plus 2 weeks)
• Undertake meaningful work to support the school in its mission and values
• Access to development opportunities, supported by an experienced team of HR professionals

The ideal candidate

• Resilient and able to work with conflicting priorities
• Highly organised and thrives in a very busy environment
• Strong and demonstrable administration skills
• Willingness to undergo further training and development
• Positive, enthusiastic and a 'can do' approach
• Previous experience in HR Administration
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience with HR and payroll software (iTrent desirable)

About Ely College

We are delighted to welcome you to Ely College. Our shared vision is to be a truly great college, a beacon of excellence of which our whole community can be proud. In July 2016 Ely College joined the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) which has since grown, reaching across the region and was rebranded as Meridian Trust in 2022. Over the years we have taken their unchanging core values as the foundations for our growing success. You will see the embodiment of these values throughout our college.  Our PLEDGES, (Participation, Leadership, Excellence, Diversity, Giving, Environment and Service)  award system is a means of supporting students to develop confidence, life skills, leadership and volunteering experience that is so highly valued by employers and is critical in becoming successful adults.  We see this combination of curriculum and personal development as the key to be confident, successful and responsible citizens of the future.  We are very proud of our community and we will work tirelessly to make sure the community takes great pride in the achievements of their college. 

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. 

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays         

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/. 

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack and job description provided.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced. Applications will be reviewed as received so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.