HR & Payroll Officer

HR & Payroll Officer

Salary: £28,510 to £32,501 FTE (X38 to X45 on the DCSF pay scales)

Hours: 37.5 hours a week, full year (term time only could be considered)

Contractual Status: Permanent

Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation comprises of two prestigious schools which date back to the early 1400s: Chorister School and Durham School.

Situated in the historic city of Durham, our schools have a rich tradition of academic excellence and holistic education, rooted in the values of community, heritage, and innovation.

We provide a nurturing environment where students thrive academically, socially, and personally, preparing them for successful futures.

We are looking to appoint a HR & Payroll Officer to join our successful team. You will be required to work with the Operations Manager and senior leadership to assist in the organisation and provision of general HR support.

Main responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Assist in the organisation and provision of general HR support to senior leaders as directed by the Operations Manager (OM)
• First point of contact for HR and payroll related queries
• Work closely with the OM and external employment law specialists to advise on employment law and policy
• Maintain information systems such as the school’s management information system, HR and payroll systems, filing and ensuring GDPR requirements are met
• Arrange meetings, attending and taking accurate notes as requested
• Prepare reports for senior leaders and Governors as requested
• Maintain employee records and produce HR letters and contract amendments as and when required
• Record confidential information correctly in HR systems, including absences and flag up triggers to OM, make referrals to occupational health as needed

Recruitment

• To lead on the advertisements of all vacancies, ensuring job descriptions are correct and appropriately evaluated and preparing the advert
• Contribute to successful shortlisting, liaise with interview panels, attending interviews where required, carry out pre-interview checks such as requesting references
• Be responsible for pre-employment checks on successful candidates, create conditional offer letters and contracts of employment

Payroll and Pensions

• Preparation of monthly payroll information for submission to the payroll provider for processing
• Management of support staff pension scheme
• Statutory and pension related returns preparation, including responding to requests from auditors

Compliance and Safeguarding

• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) and ensure pre-employment safeguarding checks are carried out, along with the safeguarding lead
• To lead on the coordination of probationary reviews and performance appraisals
• Work with the OM to assist line managers to understand and implement policies and procedures
• Assist in the implementation of disciplinary procedures, including all investigations and hearings, taking notes and providing support
• Be proactive with HR policies and procedures, implementing continuous improvement, and ensure any employment law changes are implemented

Person Specification

The successful candidate must have the following credentials.

• CIPD Level 5 Qualification, or working towards (Level 3 Qualification may be considered alongside substantial experience)
• Five or more GCSE (or equivalent) grade A-C (9-4)
• Previous HR experience
• Exceptional people skills
• The ability to work well under own direction and as part of a team

Employee Benefits

• Lunch meal provided free of charge
• To work on the historical 600+ year-old site in the city centre of Durham
• Free on-site parking
• Exempt from the Durham congestion charge
• Work pension scheme, 3% opt in with employer 5% contribution.
• Invite to various social events of the year
• 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing by a day each year of employment until 30

If you have any further questions about the job, please call the main reception at the school and ask to speak to HR.

Please email all application forms to hr@dcsf.org.uk

Closing Date:  14 February 2025

Interview Date: Week starting the 17^th February

The Foundation is committed to promoting the safeguarding of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any job offer will be made subject to satisfactory checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure. Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.