DIRECTOR OF HR JOB DESCRIPTION - The Perse School

DIRECTOR OF HRJOB DESCRIPTIONGENERAL INFORMATIONThe SchoolThe Perse School, which was founded in 1615, is a charitable company and one ofthe country’s leading independent day schools.The Perse School’s vision is to be an exceptional school of international standingThe Perse School Foundation is fully co-educational, educating boys and girls from3-18 on three sites: the Pelican (ages 3-7) in Glebe Road; the Prep (ages 7-11) inTrumpington Road; and the Upper (ages 11-18) in Hills Road. Children thus progressthrough three different schools, but have all the benefits of being part of one largerinstitution with an integrated curriculum and pastoral care system.There are currently approximately 940 pupils in the Upper School; 260 pupils in thePrep; and 150 pupils in The Pelican. In the past 5 years pupil numbers in the Upperand Prep have grown by c. 40% and 50% respectively. The permanent staff of theSchool is around 230, approximately 120 of whom are academic members of staff,and in addition there are about 50 peripatetic music, sports coaching and otherspecialist staff.The School has undertaken an almost continuous programme of building works overthe past decade. Three years ago a new Library, Art and Technology departmentand classroom building at the Prep and the Richardson Hall at the Pelican werecompleted. At the Upper School an extension to the Sports Centre providing a sportsstudio and further changing rooms was completed in January 2010, and a major newbuilding providing 21 classrooms, a new library, a new ICT department and varioussupport services was completed in August 2010. Further buildings have been addedin 2011, and more works are currently in the design stage.More details about the School can be found on www.perse.co.uk.The BursaryThe Bursary, which is situated at the Upper School, is responsible for the financial,HR, legal, H&S, administrative, estates and facilities management work of theSchool.The Bursary also provides (through the Bursar and Clerk to Governors) agovernance resource and is the secretariat to the Governing Board.1

HR AT THE PERSEThe practice, common in schools, has been for HR responsibilities to be sharedamong a number of senior staff. In the main this has been a consequence ofteaching staff being ultimately responsible to the Head; non-teaching staff beingultimately responsible to the Bursar; the School being split between three sites; theweight of HR work being too much for one person on their own; and tradition.While responsibilities have continued to be shared, HR legislation has increased andthe School has grown, and more and more HR work has had to be handled centrally.The appointment of an experienced HR Director is intended to complete the move toa centralised and professional HR function within the School.It is envisaged that the Director of HR will form close working relationships with theHead of The Perse School, the Head of The Prep School, the Head of The Pelican,and the Upper School Senior Management Team.JOB DESCRIPTIONReporting toAs a member of the non-teaching staff, the Director of HR reports to the Bursar.Principal contactsThere will be regular consultation with senior staff.The Director of HR will be a member of the School’s Management Strategy Group.It is expected that the Director of HR will provide regular briefings to the School’ssenior management teams, and attend SMT meetings for HR related agenda items.It is also expected that the Director of HR will make an at least annual presentation tothe trustees.Job PurposeOver the past fifteen years, the significant growth in the School’s pupil numbers,academic staff, buildings and activities has been matched by growth in its nonteachingprofessional staff with an increasing addition of specialists. The posts, forexample, of Director of ICT, Development Director and Director of Marketing &Admissions have all been created in this period while the Estates Office, FinanceBursary and Domestic Bursary have been expanded so as to bring in-house workthat previously was undertaken by external consultants.The appointment of a Director of HR is regarded as a key part of the School’scontinuing development.It is a senior post. The post-holder will need to have the knowledge, confidence, andskill to lead, influence and advise staff of all levels in matters of HR; develop,introduce and oversee HR strategy, policy and practice; in effect ‘professionalise’ theSchool’s HR function; and, at the same time, be comfortable with the wider, moregeneral responsibilities incumbent on a senior member of staff in a collegiateorganisation.2

The post offers a considerable opportunity to influence the direction of the Schooland to play a major role in its continuing success.Key ResponsibilitiesHR Strategy Work with the Head and Bursar in developing a vision and strategy for HRacross the School. Implement HR strategy once it has been approved. Review, update, create and manage the introduction of all HR policies in thelight of approved HR strategy.Recruitment & Selection Working closely with the Bursar’s PA & HR Compliance Co-ordinator and theHead’s PA, ensure that the School’s recruitment procedures and records areeffective – and, in particular, that they meet Safer Recruitment requirements. Be actively involved in the recruitment & selection processTraining & Development Develop the School’s staff training policies. Work with the Deputy Head (Staff), the Head of the Prep, the Head of thePelican and the Assistant Bursar to ensure the effective induction of newstaff. Advise senior managers on appropriate staff training and developmentprocedures.Remuneration & Benefits Keep under review and advise the Head and Bursar on the range of benefitsand ‘salary packages’ available to staff (liaising with the Deputy Bursar &CFO). Be the link between staff and the School’s Independent Financial Adviser withregard to pensions and other retirement benefits. Be a member of the committees that consider threshold salary assessmentsfor teaching staff. Contribute to the annual salary review for non-teaching staff.Performance Management Work with the Deputy Head (Staff), the Head of the Prep, the Head of thePelican and the Assistant Bursar to ensure the effective performancemanagement and appraisal of staff. Work with the Deputy Head (Staff), the Head of the Prep, the Head of thePelican and the Assistant Bursar to ensure that the Code of Conduct(teaching staff) and the Code of Conduct (non-teaching staff) are appropriate,effective and well-communicated to staff. Advise senior managers on the correct procedures to be followed inmanaging staff absence and sickness.Employment Legislation Keep up to date with changes in HR legislation, guidance and good practiceand to advise the School accordingly. Ensure compliance with HR legislation, guidance and good practice,Independent Schools Inspectorate requirements and the School’s HRpolicies. Liaise with the School’s HR lawyers as appropriate.Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures Advise senior managers on the correct procedures to be followed inmanaging staff grievance and discipline.3

Undertake disciplinary and grievance investigations and / or chair disciplinaryand grievance hearings as appropriate.Communication Work with the Head and the Bursar on further developing communicationswith staff.HR Processes & Information Systems Be accountable for the development and management of HR processes andHR information systems at the school.PERSON SPECIFICATIONEducation / QualificationsEducated to degree levelCIPD memberKnowledgeHR management practiceCurrent employment lawHR information systemsExperiencePrevious senior HR management experience within an organisation of similar sizeand complexityFamiliarity with drafting policies and guidanceExperience of negotiating complex agreementsExperience of working within an educational establishment would be an advantagebut is not essential.Skills and AbilitiesExcellent communicator – both in writing and verbally, and in delivering presentationsto different audiences – with the ability to instil confidence in allAbility and desire to see (and influence) the overall picture while having an unfailingeye for detailWillingness to take responsibilityAbility to work at the same time independently and collegiallyAbility to build positive relationships with a diverse range of staffExcellent administrative and organisational skillsOUTLINE TERMS AND CONDITIONSWorking Hours, Holidays, Salary and Other MattersThis post is intended to be full time but consideration will be given to candidates whoare able to meet the requirements of the post while working part-time. In addition toworking normal office hours (whether full-time or part-time, you will need to attendmeetings concerned with the business of the School that are sometimes held out ofoffice hours (some evenings and occasionally at weekends). You are expected towork the hours that are necessary to fulfil your responsibilities and meet the needs ofthe School.4

Paid holiday entitlement for full-time staff is 6 weeks plus bank holidays per annum.Holidays will normally be taken during the school holidays and will be at times to beagreed with the Bursar.The starting salary will be in the region of £50,000 per annum depending onexperience.The School operates a defined contribution pension scheme which all non-teachingmembers of staff are eligible to join once they have completed three months’ serviceand to which the School and the member of staff both contribute. Contributions arecurrently 13.75% and 6.25% respectively.The School operates a Group Life Scheme that members of staff are automaticallyincluded in on the date of appointment.The School’s Sports Centre is available for use by staff at various times during theweek.Lunch is provided free of charge for all staff whose working hours encompass thetime of School lunch.The School is keen to help develop the skills of its staff and looks to provideappropriate training as necessary.APPLICATION PROCESSA letter of application explaining why you are applying for the post accompanied by aCV should be sent by Wednesday 1 st February 2012 to:Mrs Isabel AllenPA to the BursarThe Perse SchoolHills RoadCambridgeCB2 8QFTel No: 01223 403874Email: bursarspa@perse.co.ukPlease note that long-listed candidates will need to complete the School’s Applicationfor Employment Form.Please also note that any job offer will be subject to two references satisfactory to theschool, a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure and compliance withSections 15-25 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (eligibility towork in the UK).5