Job Description

Accountable to: Principal / Head of School

Line Management of: HR Officer, HR Assistant

Overview

We are seeking an inspirational HR Manager to lead the transformation and development of our People Function.

As we continue to strengthen our organisational structures, modernise our people practices, and enhance the employee experience, we are seeking a strategic, educationally minded, and people-focused HR professional who can drive excellence across all aspects of Human Resources.

The HR Manager will serve as the trusted advisor to the Head of School and Leadership Team on all people-related matters and will lead the development of a modern, compliant, data-driven, and employee-centred HR function that supports educational excellence and organisational sustainability.

Our school benefits from a dedicated and talented staff, a strong financial foundation, and a progressive approach to education.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

As outlined below, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic HR Leadership

·       Develop and implement the School People Strategy aligned with the School Development Plan.

·       Act as a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Senior Leadership Team, and Board on all people-related matters.

·       Lead organisational development, workforce transformation, and change management initiatives.

·       Support succession planning, leadership development, and talent pipeline initiatives.

·       Contribute to long-term organisational planning and strategic decision-making.

·       Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture across the School.

Workforce Planning, Organisation Design & Reward

·       Lead workforce planning activities to ensure appropriate staffing structures across all areas of the School.

·       Develop and maintain organisational structures and reporting lines.

·       Manage job evaluation processes using the School's methodology.

·       Develop and maintain salary scales, grading frameworks, and remuneration structures.

·       Conduct salary benchmarking and market analysis.

·       Lead annual salary review and pay progression processes.

·       Support budget planning through workforce analytics and staffing forecasts.

·       Prepare business cases for new positions, restructures, and organisational changes.

Employee Relations

·       Lead and manage complex employee relations matters including:

·       Provide professional advice to leaders on employment law and HR best practice.

·       Ensure consistent and fair application of policies and procedures.

·       Maintain positive working relationships with employee representatives and trade unions where applicable.

·       Manage risk and ensure procedural compliance across all employee relations matters.

Recruitment, Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

·       Lead recruitment activities for teaching and non-teaching positions.

·       Ensure compliance with safer recruitment requirements and safeguarding legislation.

·       Oversee workforce planning and recruitment campaigns.

·       Support leadership appointments and senior recruitment processes.

·       Ensure all onboarding, induction, probation, and exit processes are effective and consistent.

·       Develop strategies to improve recruitment outcomes and staff retention.

Safeguarding, Compliance & Governance

·       Act as the HR lead for safeguarding-related employment matters.

·       Ensure compliance with all safeguarding, employment, and regulatory requirements.

Maintain oversight of:

·       Single Central Record (SCR)

·       Right to Work and Criminal record checks

·       Qualification verification

·       Safer Recruitment requirements

·       Always ensure inspection readiness

·       Monitor changes in employment legislation and advise leadership on implications

·       Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and governance frameworks

Performance Management & Professional Development

·       Lead the School's performance management framework.

·       Support leaders in managing employee performance and development.

·       Monitor appraisal completion and quality.

·       Develop talent management and succession planning initiatives.

·       Promote continuous learning and professional growth.

·       Support leadership development programmes.

Staff Wellbeing & Employee Experience

·       Develop and implement staff wellbeing strategies and initiatives.

·       Promote a healthy, inclusive, and supportive working environment.

·       Monitor employee engagement and retention trends.

·       Lead wellbeing programmes and employee support initiatives.

·       Support leaders in promoting work-life balance and staff wellbeing.

·       Partner with safeguarding and pastoral teams on employee welfare matters.

HR Systems, Data & Analytics

·       Act as system owner for the School's HRIS (Hailey HR).

·       Lead HR digitalisation and process improvement initiatives.

·       Ensure accuracy and integrity of employee data.

·       Develop HR dashboards and workforce reporting.

·       Utilise HR technology and AI tools reporting to support evidence-based decision-making.

·       Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection legislation.

·       Leadership & Team Management

·       Lead, develop, and support HR team members.

·       Establish high standards of customer service within the HR function.

·       Monitor team performance and development.

·       Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement & Special Projects

·       Lead strategic HR projects and organisational improvement initiatives.

·       Review and modernise HR policies, systems, and processes.

·       Drive efficiency, consistency, and service excellence across the employee lifecycle.

·       Support School-wide transformation projects as required.

Mental Health & Pastoral

Support and promote the mental health and wellbeing of staff and children, working closely with the Pastoral Team to ensure appropriate care, safeguarding, and wellbeing initiatives are implemented across the School.

✅ Candidate Profile

Education & Experience Requirements

Essential

·        Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

·        Significant experience leading an HR function.

·        Extensive experience in employee relations, unions and employment law.

·        Experience managing organisational change and workforce planning.

·        Experience leading recruitment and safeguarding compliance processes.

·        Experience developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.

·        Experience producing HR analytics and management reporting.

·        Experience advising senior leaders and governing bodies.

Desirable

·        Experience within an independent or international school environment.

·        Experience with not-for-profit organisations.

·        Experience with job evaluation methodologies and reward frameworks.

·        Experience implementing HR systems and digital transformation projects.

·        Experience supporting organisational development initiatives.

Skills

·        Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

·        Demonstrates exceptional organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver strategic initiatives effectively.

·        Is able to lead organisational change, influence stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement across people, systems, and processes.

·        Demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a solution-focused approach when operating in a dynamic and evolving educational environment.

Effort

·        Requires strategic thinking and independent decision-making across complex people matters.

·        Involves managing multiple priorities, projects, investigations, and organisational initiatives simultaneously.

·        Requires resilience, discretion, and sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.

·        Requires balancing operational demands with long-term strategic objectives.

Responsibility

·        Holds accountability for the effective delivery of the School's Human Resources function.

·        Contributes directly to workforce effectiveness, employee engagement, organisational culture, and educational outcomes.

·        Responsible for ensuring legal compliance and safeguarding standards across all employment practices.

·        Influences strategic workforce decisions and organisational development initiatives.

Working Conditions

·        Works within a dynamic educational environment supporting approximately 250 staff across multiple school phases.

·        Requires regular interaction with leadership teams, teachers, support staff, governors, external agencies, and employee representatives.

·        Requires flexibility to respond to urgent employee relations, safeguarding, recruitment, and operational matters.

·        Combines strategic leadership with operational HR delivery.

💼 Remuneration & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary package, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and opportunities for continuous professional development within a supportive and forward-thinking school community.

📝 Application Process

If you are passionate about education and excited to join a vibrant school community, we’d love to hear from you.

The closing date for all applications is 21/06/2026.

🗓️ Recruitment Process & Timeline

To apply for this role, please upload both: HR Manager

• A Cover Letter
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae

🛡️ Safeguarding Notice:
The Junior and Senior School is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and young people. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate criminal record checks. Safeguarding questions will form part of the interview process.

🌀 Non-Limiting Clause:
This job description is not intended to be a complete or limiting description of the tasks or responsibilities that the post holder may reasonably be requested to undertake. Adjustments may be made in consultation with the post holder and the Headteacher/Principal to meet new needs or circumstances.

🟰 Equal Opportunities Employer:

At The Junior & Senior School, we are proud to be an inclusive community that values diversity and is committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment for all. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on any grounds, ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all applicants and staff.

🧠 Use of AI:

We may use AI-supported tools to assist in the initial screening of applications; however, all CVs are reviewed by a human, and all hiring decisions are made by people.

📬 All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advertisement early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged. We may also conduct interviews ahead of the closing date if we receive an exceptional application.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are kindly requested to send their CV to the HR Manager at mkkolou@tjss.ac.cy.

Job Categories

About Company

The Junior & Senior School