HR Officer

Are you an HR professional ready to move beyond administration and build genuine advisory experience in a role with purpose, variety and flexibility?

HR Officer / HR Advisor

Location: Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust
Bradford, BD8 7AP, with travel across Trust schools

Salary: £34,434 to £36,363 FTE

Hours: 37 hours per week, permanent, all year round. Part-time working of approximately 28 to 30 hours per week, or 38-week term-time working, will also be considered.

Part time or term time working will be considered

Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust is looking for a Human Resources Officer to join its central team and work closely with the Head of HR. Supporting leaders across 19 schools, you will gain broad exposure to employee relations, policy development, safer recruitment, management training, HR systems and workforce planning.

This is an exciting time to join the Trust as it prepares to become part of the Carlo Acutis Catholic Education Trust, creating a larger family of approximately 45 schools. You will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, help shape a developing HR service and build your career in a supportive environment.

Full time, part time and term time working arrangements will be considered, making this a rare opportunity to grow professionally while choosing a working pattern that better fits your life.

What you will be doing

Working alongside the Head of HR, you will provide practical, professional advice to Headteachers and School Business Managers across the Trust.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting employee relations casework, including absence, capability, disciplinary and grievance matters
• Advising managers on employment law, Trust policies and terms and conditions
• Helping to review, develop and introduce HR policies and procedures
• Supporting consultation with recognised trade unions
• Delivering guidance and training to school leaders
• Preparing contracts, variation letters and other employment documents
• Advising on safer recruitment and supporting leadership appointments
• Coordinating the Trust’s apprenticeship programme
• Maintaining the SAMPeople HR system and producing useful workforce information

What we are looking for

You may already be working as an HR Officer or Advisor, or you could be an experienced HR Administrator or Coordinator ready to take the next step.

You will need:

• Previous experience in an HR environment at Administrator or Officer level
• CIPD Level 3, or equivalent practical HR experience
• A working knowledge of employment legislation, data protection and equality
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship building skills
• Confidence handling sensitive information with professionalism
• A full driving licence, access to a vehicle and business use insurance

Experience within education, a Multi Academy Trust or a unionised environment would be useful, but is not essential. You will be expected to support and work in line with the Catholic ethos of the Trust.

What the Trust offers

You will receive:

• Access to an excellent pension scheme
• Professional development opportunities
• Regular learning days
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 24 hour virtual GP service
• Blue Light Card savings
• Annual staff recognition awards

Most importantly, you will join a supportive central team where your work will help school leaders manage their people fairly and confidently, strengthening the working environment for staff and the educational experience of pupils.

Closing date: Monday 14 September 2026 at 12 noon

Catholic ethos: You do not need to be Catholic to apply, but you must be willing to support and work in line with the Catholic ethos of the Trust.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. In line with KCSiE 2025, an online search will be completed as part of the Trust’s due diligence on shortlisted candidates. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.