HR Officer / Lead HR Officer

HR Officer / Lead HR Officer

Location: Dorset

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum + Excellent benefit packages

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30hrs to 17:00hrs (flexibility may be available for the preferred candidate)

Closing Date: 28 June 2026

The Canford Schools Group is a growing family of leading independent schools, currently employing around 600 staff across our community.  An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and proactive HR Officer / Lead HR Officer to join our HR team working on a full-time basis to support in the provision of a professional and effective human resources service across the School Group.

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, the successful candidate will work closely with managers and employees to offer day-to-day HR guidance and support across the full range of HR activities. This is a varied generalist role supporting the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment and onboarding, managing employee relations cases, coordinating appraisals and staff development, supporting wellbeing initiatives, and ensuring HR systems and records are accurate and compliant.  A strong working knowledge of employment law is required to ensure compliance in all HR activity.

The successful candidate should be approachable, collaborative, and able to build strong working relationships with all stakeholders.  Flexibility, a good work ethic, professional discretion, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines are essential. Experience in a similar HR role is required, and a CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification is desirable.

Please note this is a full-year position.

In return, Canford offers a generous benefits package, including 38 days holiday per annum (inclusive of bank holidays), a contributory pension scheme, BUPA Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work scheme, discounted membership of the Sports Centre and Golf Club, and free lunches during term time.

Further benefit package which is offered to support staff (subject to eligibility) including:

• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discounted membership for Sports Centre & Golf Club
• BUPA Cash Plan Membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Membership of LifeWorks EAP programme
• Free parking
• Free meals during term time

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Canford School, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.