At the GDST, our people make a vital contribution to the experience, ambition and excellence of our family of schools. As the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK, we are proud of our history and even more excited by our future. Our work is grounded in purpose, shaped by strong values and driven by a shared belief in the power of girls’ education to change lives.
We are looking for an organised, capable and highly service-focused HR Officer to join our Trust Office team. This is an important operational role at the heart of our people function, where strong customer service, sound judgement and practical problem solving will be central to success. You will help ensure colleagues receive a responsive, professional experience across the employee lifecycle, while supporting the smooth and compliant delivery of core HR processes.
What you’ll be doing
You will provide efficient, accurate and customer-focused HR support across a wide range of core processes, with particular focus on recruitment administration, onboarding, payroll changes, employee records and day-to-day HR operations. You will play an important role in making sure our systems and data are well maintained, our processes run smoothly and our managers and colleagues receive responsive, helpful and professional support. This will suit someone who enjoys solving problems, taking ownership of queries and helping others navigate processes clearly and confidently.
A central part of the role will be leading on pre-employment checks and maintaining the Single Central Register for the Trust Office. This means playing a key part in safeguarding and compliance, making sure checks are completed thoroughly, records are accurate and any risks or issues are identified and escalated promptly. You will also support onboarding and offboarding activity, contractual changes, absence processes, family leave administration and wider continuous improvement across HR systems and processes, bringing a practical, solutions-focused approach and a strong commitment to service throughout.
What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role
You will bring previous experience in an HR administrative or HR Officer role, along with strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and a clear commitment to providing a high-quality service. You will be confident managing competing priorities, maintaining accurate records and handling sensitive information with care and professionalism.
You will also bring sound administrative experience, experience of using HR or management information systems, and the ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues at all levels. Experience of recruitment administration and pre-employment checks will be important, and experience of maintaining a Single Central Register or working within an education setting would be particularly valuable. Above all, you will be someone who is proactive, dependable and aligned with our commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and excellence.
Why join us
At GDST, we are committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and development of our employees, providing a comprehensive range of benefits to enhance your professional and personal life, including:
- Competitive Salaries and Career Progression: We offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career growth, recognising and rewarding your contributions.
- Generous Pension Scheme: Enjoy the peace of mind of a pension scheme with up to a 12% employer contribution, helping you plan for a secure financial future.
- Generous Holiday Allowance: Take advantage of 30 days of annual leave, in addition to extra time off during the festive season, allowing you to relax and recharge.
- Professional Development Opportunities: Access extensive professional development programs, including training and workshops, to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- Training Grants: We provide financial support through training grants to help you pursue relevant qualifications and certifications, empowering your professional growth.
- Fee Discounts for Children: Benefit from a significant discount of up to 50% on school fees for your children attending GDST schools, ensuring access to exceptional education for your family.
- Life Assurance: Receive free life assurance coverage, providing financial security and peace of mind to you and your loved ones.
- Interest-Free Loans: Access interest-free loans for various purposes, such as training, purchasing a computer, or obtaining a travel season ticket, easing financial burdens.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Participate in the Cycle to Work scheme, enabling you to purchase a bike and related equipment tax-efficiently, promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing commuting costs.
- Trust Office Social Events: Join in regular social events organised by the Trust Office, fostering a supportive and inclusive community and promoting team spirit and well-being.
Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be part, too, of the wider GDST family. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.
The GDST is committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included. We foster an environment that celebrates individual differences and embraces a wide rate of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all ethnicities, genders, gender identities, disabilities, ages and sexual orientations.