- The HR Manager will lead and manage all human resources functions covering both teaching and non-teaching staff (100+ employees). The role ensures effective recruitment, on-boarding, staff development, performance management, employee relations, compliance with Kenyan legislation and safeguarding requirements, and delivery of a positive working environment that supports high-quality teaching and learning.
- Develop and implement the school's HR strategy aligned to the school's vision, strategic plan and annual objectives.
- Advise senior leadership and the Board on workforce planning, salary structure, staff budget and HR cost control.
- Lead end-to-end recruitment for teaching and support roles (job design, adverts, shortlisting, interviewing, offers).
- Ensure safer-recruitment checks for all staff and volunteers (Certificate of Good Conduct/police checks, ID verification, qualification checks, references).
- Support succession planning and internal talent pipelines.
- Manage induction programmes for new hires (school culture, safeguarding, policies, role expectations).
- Ensure timely preparation and issuance of contracts, appointment letters, and staff records.
- Coordinate CPD, in-service training and career development pans; maintain training records and measure impact on teaching quality.
Compensation & benefits/Payroll coordination
- Maintain up-to-date pay records; work with Finance or payroll provider to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
- Ensure statutory deductions and contributions (PAYE/KRA, NSSF, NHIF/SHA) are correctly applied and remitted.
- Advise on salary benchmarking and benefits packages as required.
Employee relations, wellbeing & staff engagement
- Promote positive staff relations; provide confidential HR advice to managers and staff.
- Manage disciplinary, grievance and capability processes fairly and in accordance with police and Kenyan law.
- Proactively lead staff engagement and welfare activities, including;
- A regular staff bulletin (e.g. weekly or fortnightly) communicating important news, policy updates, training opportunities and recognition.
- Designing, implementing and coordinating staff happiness and welfare initiatives (wellness programs, recognition schemes, staff support mechanisms).
- Conducting an annual staff happiness/wellbeing survey, analyzing results and presenting action plans to senior leadership and the Board.
- Maintain and report on staff welfare metrics and follow-up actions.
HR Policy, compliance and governance
- Develop, review and maintain HR policies and procedures (including Safeguarding/Child Protection, Code of Conduct, Leave, Maternity / Paternity, Absence Management).
- Ensure compliance with Kenyan employment legislation and education sector requirements.
- Prepare HR reports for the Principal and Board (staff establishment, turnover, absenteeism, training metrics and engagement outcomes).
Employee records & HR systems
- Maintain accurate personnel records (electronic and paper) in compliance with data protection / confidentiality standards.
- Implement and maintain an HRIS or personnel database to manage staff information, contracts, leave, appraisals and training.
Health &safety and safeguarding
- Work with the designated Child Protection Officer and Site/ Operations team to ensure staff compliance with safeguarding and H&S requirements.
- Ensure all staff receive appropriate child-protection training and refreshers.
- Manage resignation, termination and redundancy processes including exit interviews, clearance, final payments and return of school property; use exit data to inform retention strategies.
- Manage and develop direct HR staff (e.g. HR Officer, HR Administrator), ensuring consistent, responsive HR service delivery through the academic year.
Qualifications & experience
- Bachelors degree in HRM, Business Administration, Education Administration or related field.
- Professional HR qualification preferred (CPID, SHRM or recognized local equivalent).
- Minimum 5-7 years HR experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory/ managerial role.
- Prior experience in the education sector or organizations of similar scale (100+ employees) desirable.
- Sound knowledge of Kenyan employment law, statutory deductions and compliance.
- Experience with HRIS and payroll systems; strong MS Office skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage with teaching staff, parents, management and external stakeholders.
- High integrity, confidentiality and professional judgment - child centered and safeguarding focused.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
- Good negotiation, conflict-resolution and coaching skills.
- Analytical and data-driven; able to present HR metrics and engagement survey findings.
- Proactive, solutions-focused and calm under pressure.
- Time-to-fill for key teaching vacancies.
- Annual staff turnover rate.
- Percentage of staff with completed annual appraisals.
- Compliance rate for statutory remittances and background checks.
- Number of staff CPD hour per term/year and training satisfaction.
- Staff bulletin frequency and distribution metrics.
- Annual staff happiness survey response rate and improvement on key wellbeing indicators year-on-year.
- Number and impact of staff welfare initiatives implemented.