HR & Payroll Officer – Secondary School – Derby, Derbyshire

A large and well-established 11–18 secondary school in Derby is seeking a knowledgeable and highly organised HR & Payroll Officer to join its central operations team. This is a key support role within a school that values compliance, professionalism and strong staff wellbeing systems.

The School

Located within a busy Derby residential community, this comprehensive secondary school serves a broad and ambitious intake. The school has a stable leadership structure and a strong administrative team that supports both teaching staff and senior leaders effectively.

With a growing workforce of teaching and support staff, robust HR processes and accurate payroll systems are essential to maintaining operational excellence.

The Role

As HR & Payroll Officer, you will manage all core HR administration and payroll coordination for the school.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing staff contracts, variations and personnel records

• Coordinating payroll submissions and checking salary adjustments

• Supporting recruitment processes and onboarding

• Maintaining accurate absence and leave records

• Monitoring compliance with safer recruitment and safeguarding requirements

• Liaising with payroll providers and pension schemes

This is a role that requires precision, confidentiality and strong organisational skills.

Working Environment

You will report to the School Business Manager and work closely with senior leaders, line managers and external payroll providers. The administrative office is structured, collaborative and highly professional.

The school utilises established HR systems and expects timely, accurate reporting to support leadership decision-making.

About You

The ideal candidate will:

• Have prior HR and payroll experience, ideally within a school or academy setting

• Understand safeguarding and safer recruitment compliance

• Demonstrate excellent organisational and data accuracy skills

• Communicate clearly and professionally with staff

• Be discreet and trustworthy in handling confidential information

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary

• Professional and structured working environment

• Supportive leadership and operations team

• Opportunities for ongoing professional development

• A respected role within a stable and well-run school

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional seeking a secure and meaningful role within a reputable Derby secondary school.