People Operations Manager at The Primary First Trust
New
New
37 hrs per week. 52 weeks per year
About this Role
As our People Operations Manager, you will be at the heart of our People Team—leading operational delivery, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring we meet our statutory and regulatory responsibilities. You’ll take ownership of key Trust-wide functions, including:
- Managing payroll and pensions (TPS & LGPS), ensuring accuracy and legislative compliance
- Overseeing and enhancing our HRMIS and people systems
- Ensuring robust data governance, including managing DSARs
- Developing clear, effective people policies and SOPs
- Leading and analysing people data to influence decision-making
- Supporting transformational projects and Trust-wide initiatives
- Embedding our ED&I strategy and strengthening internal communications
You’ll also play a key role in supporting our People Team Administrator and working closely with our People Business Partner to ensure our schools get the very best service.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Professionally qualified (CIPD Level 5 or equivalent)
- Experienced in HR operations, change delivery and project management
- Skilled in payroll, pensions, employment law and people systems
- Confident working with data, KPIs and reporting
- Calm, resilient and able to think on your feet
- An excellent communicator who can influence, persuade and collaborate at all levels
- Passionate about safeguarding, inclusion and providing high‑quality support to schools
- Driven by values—role modelling Courage, Innovation and Excellence in everything you do
Why Join The Primary First Trust?
At PFT, people are at the centre of everything we do. You’ll be part of a supportive, collaborative team committed to making a real difference for our pupils and communities.
We offer:
- A culture rooted in trust, ambition and continuous improvement
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- The chance to shape processes, drive change and leave a legacy across the Trust
- A flexible working approach, including remote working
- A fantastic wellbeing package including access to GPs, nurses, physiotherapy and face-to-face counselling services.
- The opportunity to contribute to meaningful, values-driven education
Safeguarding & Inclusion
We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Clearance, a health clearance, social media checks, a probationary period and satisfactory references.
We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
Related Documents
Contact Details
Kevin Noble
01322640982
knoble@theprimaryfirsttrust.co.uk
The Primary First Trust would like all candidates to answer specific questions for the personal statement section. For reference, here is a preview of the questions/headings:
- What attracted you to this role and why would you like to be considered?
- Please confirm your highest relevant HR qualification (e.g., CIPD Level 5) and briefly outline recent CPD that keeps you current in employment law and HR operations. Explain how this learning has influenced your practice in the last 12 months.
- What skills, strengths and qualities will you bring to this role?
- Describe your oversight of monthly payroll, including how you ensure accuracy, legislative compliance and swift resolution of errors.
- Describe a time you led an HR operational improvement (e.g., policy refresh, process redesign, safer recruitment practice). What was the baseline, what did you change, and what measured outcomes did you achieve?
- Do you have any further information that you would like to add to support your application?
The Primary First Trust
Open Data obtained from: Department for EducationKent
DA11 0DY
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