St Helen's School - Senior HR Business Partner

Summary

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Senior HR Business Partner to support the implementation of the School’s people strategy, ensuring alignment with St Helen’s mission, values, and strategic goals.

Detail

The Post - Senior HR Business Partner

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Senior HR Business Partner to support the implementation of the School’s people strategy, ensuring alignment with St Helen’s mission, values, and strategic goals. The role is designed to enhance staff wellbeing, foster a positive and inclusive organisational culture, and ensure the school attracts, retains, and develops top talent.

We are seeking a senior HR professional who has experience with leading across a range of HR activities and has contributed to change across a fast-paced and busy organisation.

Core Information

Contract Type:

• This is a permanent, full-time contract. The first 6 months will be a probationary period.

Reporting Line:

• This role will report to the Director of People and Culture.

Reporting Responsibilities:

• This role will manage the HR, Payroll & Pensions Administrator.

Working Hours:

• 8:00am - 4:30pm, or 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year. Working hours including a 1-hour unpaid lunch break each day. Some flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the role.

Annual Leave:

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.

Salary:

• Competitive, depending on experience.

Benefits

• 50% fee remission for staff children subject to spaces and entry examinations (pro rata for part time staff).
• A strong culture of professional development.
• Access to the School’s swimming pool and fitness suite.
• Free on-site parking and excellent public transport links.
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Scheme.
• Free lunch and refreshments (term-time).
• Generous occupational sick pay.
• High Street Discounts.
• EAP with 24/7 GP access.
• A beautiful working environment – the School is set in a conservation site in excess of 21 acres.

Key Responsibilities

To view the full list of responsibilities, please follow this link to view our recruitment pack for the role - Senior HR Business Partner

The Person

Essential:

• Extensive experience in supporting the development and implementation of people strategies that drive engagement, wellbeing, and retention.
• CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice, employment law, and safeguarding requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels.
• A deep understanding of wellbeing initiatives and their impact on organisational performance.
• Experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making.
• A commitment to the values and ethos of St Helen’s School.
• Proven experience in leading HR through organisational change or transformation.
• In-depth knowledge of UK Employment Law:
  • Equality Act 2010
  • GDPR (UK Data Protection Act 2018)
  • TUPE regulations
  • Disciplinary and grievance procedure
  • Familiarity with HR compliance and Health & Safety obligations under UK law (e.g. HSE requirements)

  Highly Desirable:

  • Experience of working in an independent school or similar environment.
  • Knowledge of the specific challenges facing the education sector, including recruitment and retention.
  • Experience in unionised environments.

  Key Skills and Competencies

  • Strategic thinker with strong business acumen
  • High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
  • Confident communicator, both written and verbal
  • Strong analytical, decision-making, and influencing skills.

  Application Process

  Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 17 December 2025.

  Interview date: January 2026.

  Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early.

  Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

  Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the School where they will be interviewed by the Director of Finance and the Business Operations Director, and other members of SLT where appropriate. They may be asked to complete a task and will take a tour of the School and meet other members of the Department and wider Faculty.

  St Helen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2025 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

  If you have any queries about this position, please contact the hiring manager at francesca.scozzafava@sthelens.london - we look forward to hearing from you!