Key Role Information

Salary
£44,075.00 - 47,181.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
22/06/2026 00:00
Interview
25 June 2026
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
Band 9 SCP 33-36
Department
HR
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
36.25
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Join Our People Team

The Dean Trust is seeking an experienced and proactive HR Operations Manager to play a key role in delivering a high-quality, efficient and compliant HR service across our growing family of schools.


Reporting to the HR Director, you will lead the Trust's HR operations function, ensuring excellent service delivery, effective HR systems and processes, robust compliance, and a positive employee experience. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about continuous improvement and people-focused service delivery.


About the Role

As HR Operations Manager, you will:

·      Lead and develop the Trust's transactional HR service across multiple schools.

·      Provide expert HR advice and guidance to leaders and colleagues across the Trust.

·      Ensure compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and HR best practice.

·      Manage and enhance HR systems, data reporting and operational processes.

·      Support the delivery of the Trust's People Strategy through operational excellence and HR improvement projects.

·      Line manage and develop HR Assistants and HR Administrators, fostering a high-performing HR team.Line manage and develop HR Assistants and HR Administrators, fostering a high-performing HR team.


About You

We are looking for someone who has:

·      CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent).

·      Significant experience in a HR generalist role with responsibility for HR operations.

·      Strong knowledge of employment law, recruitment, payroll processes and HR systems.

·      Experience of leading, supporting or developing team members.

·      A proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.


Why Join The Dean Trust?

The Dean Trust is an educational charity established in April 2012, that currently comprises of 11 academies, 6 secondary, 4 primaries and 1 through school, operating in 3 hubs covering Trafford, Manchester, Knowsley and Wigan local authority areas, including some of the most deprived areas of the country. The Trust has seen steady growth since incorporation and aspires to grow further in the future.


At The Dean Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a positive and supportive working environment where colleagues can thrive professionally and personally. You'll join a collaborative team dedicated to delivering excellent outcomes for our schools, staff and students.


If you have any questions about the role, please contact us 0161 973 1179 or email katiehurst@thedeantrust.co.uk

 

APPLICATION CLOSE DATE: 9AM MONDAY 22ND JUNE 2026

 

We are an Equal Opportunities employer committed to ensuring inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates including those from underrepresented groups, and/or with protected characteristics.

 

The Dean Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.



Qualifications

CIPD or other appropriate HR qualification or relevant experienceessential

Skills

Leadership

Ability to inspire, set clear direction and motivate staffessential
Effective leadership and motivational skillsessential
Strategic thinkeressential

Personal Attributes

Self-disciplined and able to reflect and learn in order develop wisdom and understandingessential
Committedessential
Dedicatedessential
Integrityessential

About Us

The Dean Trust Central

Katie Hurst

katiehurst@thedeantrust.co.uk

Cecil Avenue
Sale
Cheshire
M33 5BP

Safeguarding Information

The Dean Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check.


This post involves working with children, young people, vulnerable adults or is a position of trust. The amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provides that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain convictions and cautions are ‘protected’ and are not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found at the Disclosure and Barring Service website (www.gov.uk/dbs). Any failure to disclose the appropriate information could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the organisation. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.