HR Assistant
Salary: £27,976 – £29,099.20 per annum, dependent on experience
Working hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility in how working hours are arranged.
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Contract: Full-time · Fixed Term · 3 Months (with the possibility of extension)
Join our friendly and dedicated HR team at Kent College as an HR Assistant.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and motivated individual to play an important role in supporting the day-to-day delivery of our HR service. Working closely with the Head of HR, HR Advisor and colleagues across the College, you will gain valuable experience across a broad range of HR activities, including recruitment, employee administration, safeguarding checks and payroll support.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills and an interest in developing their career in HR, within a welcoming and supportive school environment.
The role
- You will support recruitment administration, including posting job advertisements, processing applications and preparing paperwork for each stage of the process.
- You will work with Line Managers and the HR Advisor to help ensure interview processes run smoothly.
- You will support new starter administration, including drafting offer letters and contracts, and carrying out right to work checks.
- You will assist with the administration of the Single Central Register (SCR), DBS disclosures and other required pre-employment checks, ensuring accurate records are maintained.
- You will provide general administrative support to the HR team and maintain accurate, up-to-date records within the HRIS.
- You will assist with payroll administration, including inputting annual leave and absence data, new starter and leaver information, and post-variance changes.
- You will support HR policies and procedures, projects, meetings and training workshops, and take minutes as required.
About you
- You will be educated to A level or hold an appropriate CIPD professional qualification (Level 3 or above).
- You will have experience in HR and/or office administration.
- You will have experience producing accurate documentation and correspondence, managing workloads and prioritising conflicting demands.
- You will have strong administrative skills and be competent in using Microsoft Office tools.
- You will communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and take a professional, customer-focused approach.
- You will be highly organised, with excellent people skills and the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
- You will demonstrate attention to detail, integrity, tact and diplomacy, and be able to handle confidential information sensitively.
- You will be flexible, resilient and calm when responding to changing priorities, with a willingness to learn and develop.
Desirable:
- Experience of working in an educational environment and maintaining a fully compliant Single Central Register.
- Awareness of safeguarding requirements and good practice within an educational setting.
- An interest in undertaking relevant courses and training to keep up to date with changing legislation and regulations.
- Applications are welcomed from candidates whose HR or office administration experience has been gained in other sectors.
Benefits
We offer a range of great benefits at Kent College, including:
- Private healthcare with Benenden Health.
- Workplace Pension Scheme.
- Free lunch during term time, plus hot drinks and snacks.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- A variety of discounts and benefit schemes, including Cycle to Work, Home & Tech and Octopus Electric Vehicles.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please complete the online application form via Kent College's recruitment system.
Applications must be submitted online. CVs or applications sent directly to the College by email cannot be considered.
Closing Date: 2 December 2026
The College reserves the right to interview and appoint without further notice.
Safer Recruitment
Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be expected to uphold this duty and abide by the safeguarding policies in place, including undertaking relevant training.
References will be taken prior to interview. Online searches may be carried out on shortlisted candidates as part of the process of assessing suitability.
Equal Opportunities
Kent College staff and pupils are proud to be part of a welcoming international boarding community. We value diversity and promote equality at all levels, and are passionate about attracting a diverse pool of applications through an inclusive appointment process. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of this process for any candidate with a disability. We warmly welcome applications from professionals of all backgrounds and ethnicities, and particularly encourage applicants who identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic groups as these groups are currently underrepresented in our community.
Kent College Canterbury is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Kent College staff and pupils are proud to be part of a welcoming international boarding community. We value diversity and promote equality at all levels, and we are passionate about attracting a diverse pool of applications through an inclusive appointment process. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of this process for any candidate with a disability. We warmly welcome applications from professionals of all backgrounds and communities, regardless of ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion, and we particularly encourage applicants who identify as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic groups as these groups are currently underrepresented in our community.
Please note that we may prioritise applications from current Kent College redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward
Applications must be made via Kent College's online application system; CVs or details sent directly to the department or via email cannot be considered.