HR Administration Manager - £40,958 - £43,697

Location: Bristol, South Gloucestershire (Remote working)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Salary: £40,958 - £43,697

Start Date: 1st September 2026

Job Title: HR Administration Manager

Full Time Annual Salary: £40,958 - £43,697 (Grade F)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday / All year-round

Additional Information: This hybrid role combines home, office and academy-based working, including one day per week at the clients head office in Kingswood, and regular travel to academies across the clients sites as required.

Potential Start Date: 1st September 2026 (Subject to completion of pre-employment checks)

Your opportunity to lead HR operations across a diverse education community

Are you an experienced HR professional with a strong background in HR administration, payroll and pensions? Do you have the leadership skills to manage a high-performing team while driving continuous improvement across a complex organisation?

In this role, you will need:

Lead and develop a team of eight HR Administration professionals, promoting high standards, accountability and continuous improvement.

Oversee the delivery of HR administration services across 37 academies, ensuring a consistent and efficient service.

Manage monthly payroll and pension processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely completion.

Act as the escalation point for complex payroll, pensions and contractual queries.

Build strong relationships with academy leaders, Finance colleagues, external providers and key stakeholders.

Ensure compliance with employment legislation, payroll and pension regulations, GDPR and safer recruitment requirements.

Drive improvements to systems, processes and ways of working to enhance service delivery.

Support key HR operational initiatives, including pay and benefits, workforce reporting and HR systems development.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR operations professional who enjoys combining people leadership, problem-solving and operational excellence in a large and ambitious organisation.

You will have:

You will be an experienced HR professional with strong knowledge of HR administration, payroll and pensions, alongside a proven track record of leading teams and delivering high-quality operational services.

Significant experience leading HR administration, payroll or pensions services and developing high-performing teams.

A CIPD qualification (or equivalent HR qualification and experience) and commitment to ongoing professional development.

A Level 4 qualification in Business Administration, HR or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Strong knowledge of payroll processes, pensions administration, employment legislation and HR best practice.

Experience advising on contractual changes, terms and conditions, payroll and pensions matters.

Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Experience using HR systems and workforce data to support reporting and continuous improvement.

Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy and confidentiality.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence at all levels.

GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent).

Experience within the education sector, including knowledge of safer recruitment and Keeping Children Safe in Education, would be advantageous but is not essential.

You'll have the opportunity to:

Lead a critical HR operational service supporting colleagues across 37 schools.

Manage and develop a dedicated HR Administration team.

Work closely with our client's academy leaders, finance teams and external partners.

Drive improvements to HR systems, processes and service delivery.

Develop your leadership and HR operations expertise within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

Make a real impact on the experience of colleagues and the effectiveness of our schools.

What the client can offer you:

Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

Generous annual leave.

A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.

Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.

Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.

A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.

Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!

For an informal discussion about the role/to find out more, please email

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.