Location: Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland (On-site)
Reports to: Business Manager
Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours per week, Monday-Friday)
About the Role
Oak Ireland is seeking an experienced Human Resources Generalist to support the day-to-day people operations of our boarding school in Ireland.
The academy operates across two campuses and provides a 24/7 boarding environment for approximately ten months each academic year, together with an international summer programme. The role supports approximately 80 employees, including local and international staff, residential personnel, executive employees and hourly-paid staff.
The Human Resources Generalist will ensure that all HR processes are compliant with Irish employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and academy policies while providing timely, professional and people-centred support throughout the entire employee lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
Recruitment & Selection
- Coordinate the full recruitment process from approved vacancy to onboarding.
- Publish vacancies on Irish recruitment platforms.
- Coordinate international recruitment pipelines with Oak International's central recruitment team.
- Manage all candidate communications after application.
- Screen CVs and applications.
- Organise and conduct interviews.
- Coordinate interview panels.
- Verify references with previous employers.
- Complete background and employment verification.
- Coordinate Garda Vetting and all safeguarding pre-employment requirements.
- Ensure all documentation is complete before employment begins.
- Prepare employment offers.
- Prepare employment contracts.
- Coordinate new employee start dates.
Onboarding & Employee Administration
- Deliver a structured onboarding process for all new employees.
- Maintain complete and accurate personnel files.
- Ensure all employment documentation remains updated throughout employment.
- Maintain HR records in accordance with GDPR.
- Coordinate probation review schedules.
- Prepare employment confirmations.
- Process contractual amendments.
- Monitor contract renewals.
- Coordinate resignations and employee departures.
- Conduct exit interviews.
- Maintain HR reports and employee records.
Safeguarding & Compliance
Given the nature of a boarding school, safeguarding forms an essential part of this role.
The HR Generalist is responsible for ensuring that every employee meets all safeguarding requirements before working with students.
Responsibilities include:
- Managing Garda Vetting.
- Coordinating TUSLA Children First requirements.
- Monitoring Child Safeguarding Statement compliance.
- Tracking mandatory safeguarding training.
- Maintaining mandatory compliance registers.
- Ensuring all mandatory certifications remain current.
- Supporting safeguarding audits.
- Coordinating compliance with fire safety, health & safety and mandatory staff training.
- Maintaining evidence of compliance for inspections.
Employee Relations
- Act as the first point of contact for HR matters.
- Provide confidential advice to employees and managers.
- Support managers in employee relations matters.
- Assist with disciplinary and grievance processes.
- Coordinate performance improvement processes.
- Promote a positive workplace culture.
- Support employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Help identify retention opportunities for key employees.
Payroll Administration
The HR Generalist is not responsible for processing payroll, but is responsible for ensuring payroll information is complete and accurate.
Responsibilities include:
- Collect and verify payroll inputs.
- Track working hours where applicable.
- Maintain leave records.
- Monitor absences.
- Record contractual changes.
- Record salary adjustments.
- Coordinate information relating to resident employees.
- Ensure payroll documentation is submitted accurately and on time to the payroll responsible.
Employment Law & Policies
- Ensure compliance with Irish employment legislation.
- Maintain HR policies and procedures.
- Support policy implementation.
- Keep employment documentation legally compliant.
- Monitor legislative changes affecting employment.
- Escalate legal risks appropriately.
- Work with external HR or legal advisers when required.
HR Systems & Continuous Improvement
- Improve personnel record management.
- Support implementation of HR systems.
- Develop HR procedures.
- Produce HR metrics and reports.
- Recommend process improvements.
- Promote efficient and compliant HR practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Employment Law or related field.
- Minimum 3-5 years of HR Generalist experience.
- Previous experience within education or hospitality is desirable.
- Experience supporting international employees is an advantage.
Essential Knowledge
- Irish Employment Law
- Recruitment and Selection
- Employee Relations
- GDPR
- Garda Vetting
- TUSLA Children First
- Payroll administration
- HR Information Systems
- Microsoft Office 365
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent organisational skills
- High attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Ability to manage confidential information
- Sound judgement
- Professional integrity
- Problem-solving mindset
- Ability to prioritise multiple deadlines
- Customer service orientation
- Ability to work independently
- Continuous improvement mindset
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who:
- Builds trust quickly.
- Exercises sound judgement.
- Is highly organised and detail-oriented.
- Acts with discretion and confidentiality.
- Enjoys working with people while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Is calm under pressure.
- Is proactive and solution-focused.
- Can balance empathy with compliance.
- Is committed to safeguarding young people.
- Supports the educational mission and values of the academy.
Working Conditions
- Occasional attendance at academy events outside normal hours may be required.
- The role supports both academy campuses and requires regular presence at each location according to operational needs.
- Salary between €45,000 and €55,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
KPIs for the various facets of the role
Recruitment -> Time to fill vacancies
Recruitment -> Quality of hire after probation
Compliance -> 100% complete personnel files
Safeguarding -> 100% Garda Vetting completed before start date
Safeguarding -> 100% TUSLA / Children First compliance
Training -> 100% mandatory training completed on time
Payroll -> 100% payroll submissions accurate and on time
Employee Relations -> Timely resolution of employee cases
HR Administration -> Contracts and amendments processed within required timeframes
Retention -> Reduction in avoidable staff turnover
Pay: €45,000.00-€55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Kilmacanoge, County Wicklow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Education:
Licence/Certification:
- Driver's License (required)
Work authorisation:
Work Location: In person
