The Role
Director of Human Resources As the Director of Human Resources, you will be at the forefront of shaping HR at Abingdon. Reporting to the Head of the Foundation and DFO (dotted line), this pivotal leadership position offers a dynamic and engaging opportunity to drive the Foundation’s HR priorities and manage the HR Department’s diverse functions with innovation and efficiency. You will leverage your exceptional operational expertise and deep knowledge of HR information systems to modernise and enhance our HR operations. Leading a dedicated team, you will play a crucial role in optimising processes, implementing cutting-edge digital solutions, and driving strategic initiatives that boost productivity and efficiency. As a regular attendee to weekly SLT meetings, your interpersonal skills will be key in influencing senior leaders, ensuring that HR priorities align with the Foundation’s Development Plan. Your core responsibilities will encompass several key themes: Recruitment and Development: overseeing recruitment, onboarding, training and development initiatives to attract and retain top talent. Operational Excellence: streamlining HR processes and systems to enhance efficiency and productivity across the Foundation. Compliance and Governance: ensuring all HR practices adhere to legal, safeguarding, and regulatory standards, maintaining the highest levels of compliance and integrity. Employee Engagement: fostering a positive workplace culture through effective employee engagement, benefits management, staff surveys and comprehensive training. Employee Relations: effective and timely management of grievances, disciplinary and capability processes and restructuring initiatives. Supporting Senior Leaders: collaborating with senior leaders to shape and implement HR priorities that support the Foundation’s Development Plan.
The Department In this role, you will lead a team of six HR staff (three full-time and three part-time) dedicated to supporting the Foundation’s 400+ staff across Abingdon School, Abingdon Prep School, and Abingdon School Enterprises. This team also provides HR support for around 300 additional personnel, including casual workers, self-employed coaches, visiting music teachers, volunteers, governors, and third-party contractors. Our people are key to Abingdon’s success and the HR Department is central to the people agenda, managing a busy schedule to support various HR needs year-round. This includes running approximately 70 recruitment campaigns annually, handling extensive pre-appointment and onboarding checks, managing significant employee relations casework, and organising mandatory training sessions. Additionally, the department collaborates closely with the Finance Department on monthly payroll and benefits and oversees annual processes like staff surveys and support staff salary reviews. This role promises an exciting challenge for a proactive and ‘hands-on’ leader eager to make a significant impact on the Foundation’s people agenda. Duties & Responsibilities Lead daily HR operations and ensure effective delivery of objectives, including: • Overseeing employee relations, including managing grievances, disciplinary actions, and capability processes. • Conducting pre-appointment checks • Supporting the Low Level Concerns process • Administering pay and benefits (with Finance) • Enhancing employee engagement • Monitoring staff absence and attendance • Maintaining and updating HR policies • Management of staff training • Promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in HR processes • Lead and manage the HR team. Support SLT Provide proactive and reactive HR advice to SLT members, ensuring compliance with professional standards and regulations.
HR Operational Excellence Assess and enhance the school’s HR processes and systems, implementing best practices and transformation projects, including: • Digitising personnel records • Using data, reports, KPIs, and digital tools to improve HR services. • Implementing new HR information systems and Applicant Tracking Systems • Supporting Employee Self Service to reduce HR workload. • Streamlining training management systems Safeguarding, Compliance and Recruitment Ensure comprehensive oversight of the Single Central Record (SCR) and provide leadership for all recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes in compliance with Safer Recruitment requirements. Policies and Training Ensure the development and maintenance of consistent, compliant HR policies (including a Staff Handbook), and help ensure suitable staff training on HR policies and personal development. Payroll and Systems Integration Collaborate with the IT and Finance Departments to integrate HR systems and ensure accurate monthly payroll delivery. HR Performance Monitoring Collaborate with the Head/Director of Finance and Operations to monitor HR metrics, analyse data (e.g. staff survey results), and report trends to SLT and Governors. Advise on initiatives related to gender pay gap issues and ensure efficient management of HR budgets. Support for Other Teams Provide advice and guidance for HR activities managed by other departments, including staff induction, performance appraisal, and absence management. DEI and Employment Laws Promote DEI in HR processes and systems, and compliance with the Equality Act and relevant employment laws.
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