Job Description

Job Overview

We are seeking an outstanding Head of Human Resources to lead the strategic and operational human resources function for the school, ensuring high standards of compliance, safeguarding, staff development and employee experience. Reporting to the Bursar and working closely with the Head Master and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will ensure that HR policies, processes and culture fully support the School's strategic objectives.

The role combines strategic input with hands-on operational delivery and requires an individual who can build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and deliver the school's HR strategy in line with educational, regulatory, and organisational priorities. Act as a strategic adviser to the Headmaster, Head of Prep, Bursar, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and Governors on HR matters. Through continuous professional development and membership of the CIPD, maintain awareness of employment legislation and brief the Bursar on emerging changes. Use HR metrics and workforce data to inform decision-making and long-term planning.

Recruitment and Selection

Oversee staff recruiting across the Senior School in liaison with Line Managers. Ensure safer recruitment practices in full compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and ISI inspection requirements.

Employee Relations

Provide expert advice on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance issues, and mediation. Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant handling of all staff issues. Support senior leaders with complex casework.

HR Operations & Compliance

Ensure the Senior School Single Central Register (SCR) is accurate, compliant, and ready for ISI Inspection at all times and oversee similar compliance at the Prep School. Oversee HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with employment law, education-specific regulations, and best practice. Manage the updating and maintenance of MTS Employment Manual, contracts of employment templates and HR documentation are legally compliant and aligned to best practices in the education sector.
Manage HR systems, data protection compliance (UK GDPR), payroll liaison, and contractual documentation.

Oversee the effective maintenance of accurate records of holiday, sickness and absence for all staff in conjunction with the Payroll Manager and the Bursar's Secretary Assistant. Maintain and improve the effectiveness of HR processes and procedures. Management of information and input into annual census reports e.g. ISC and Department of Education annual census.

Pay, Reward & Conditions

Work collaboratively with the Head of Finance to oversee pay frameworks, job evaluation, benefits schemes, and annual salary review processes. Benchmark roles within the independent school sector to ensure competitiveness. Provide guidance on working time regulations, term-time-only contracts, holiday pay, and teacher/support staff conditions of service.

Learning & Development

Implement professional development strategies to support high-quality teaching and support staff performance in conjunction with SLT. Identify training needs, appropriate support staff training packages and oversee delivery of mandatory training. Support leadership development and performance review processes.

Safeguarding

It is the post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact and to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the Head Master.

Merchant Taylors' School is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This role will bring you into contact with children, you are expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

How we use your information

We will use the information which you provided, and which we collect from other sources (such as from references and from the Disclosure and Barring Service) for the following purposes: to assess your suitability for the role for which you have applied, to assess your suitability to work with children and to enable us to comply with our legal obligations (including safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children ).

Further information on how the School uses personal data is set out in the School's Staff Transparency Notice, which can be found on the Vacancy page of the School Website.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Canteen Company pension Discounted or free food On-site gym On-site parking
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 22/01/2026
Expected start date: 01/03/2026