HR Administrator
Puffins of Exeter Ltd
Location: Mont Le Grand, Exeter
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £30,764.37 for a 40 hour week
Closing date for applications: Sunday 6th September 2026
Interviews will be held in person on Monday 7th September & Friday 11th September.
Why join Puffins of Exeter?
At Puffins, we believe that great people create great experiences for children, families and colleagues. We're looking for an organised, proactive and people-focused HR Administrator to join our team and help us attract, recruit and retain exceptional employees across our nurseries.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, managing recruitment processes and ensuring a positive employee experience from the moment a candidate applies through to their employment journey with Puffins.
As our HR Administrator, you will play a vital role in supporting recruitment, onboarding, employee administration and retention initiatives, while helping us maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and safer recruitment.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by three core values:
Communication
We communicate clearly, professionally and helpfully with colleagues, families and partners.
Child-Centred
Our systems and processes support children's safety, wellbeing and learning.
Kind
We work with empathy, respect and professionalism, recognising the importance of positive relationships.
The successful candidate will demonstrate these values in all aspects of their work.
The Role
Reporting to the HR Manager, you will provide comprehensive administrative support across the employee lifecycle, with a particular focus on:
- Recruitment and safer recruitment
- Apprentice recruitment
- Induction and onboarding
- Employee retention and engagement
- Employee changes and HR administration
- Payroll administration support
- Maintaining accurate HR records and systems
You will be an important point of contact for applicants, new starters, employees and managers, ensuring a professional and positive experience throughout.
Key Responsibilities Recruitment & Safer Recruitment
- Coordinate recruitment campaigns from advertising through to appointment.
- Create and manage job advertisements across various platforms.
- Communicate with applicants throughout the recruitment process.
- Support managers with shortlisting and candidate selection.
- Arrange interviews and prepare interview documentation.
- Participate in interviews and lead interviews where appropriate.
- Obtain references and complete pre-employment checks.
- Ensure DBS, right-to-work, qualification and identity checks are completed.
- Maintain accurate recruitment and safeguarding records.
- Ensure safer recruitment practices are followed consistently.
Apprentice Recruitment
- Support the recruitment of apprentices across our nurseries.
- Promote apprenticeship opportunities within the local community.
- Engage with schools, colleges and training providers.
- Support apprenticeship applicants throughout the recruitment process.
- Interview prospective apprentices and assess suitability.
- Help ensure apprentices receive a positive start to their career with Puffins.
Onboarding & Induction
- Coordinate onboarding for all new employees.
- Prepare offer packs and employment documentation.
- Ensure all pre-employment requirements are completed.
- Support the delivery and administration of company induction programmes.
- Monitor completion of induction requirements and probation reviews.
- Help new employees understand Puffins' values, policies and expectations.
Employee Experience & Retention
- Support initiatives designed to improve staff retention and engagement.
- Gather feedback from new starters and employees.
- Assist with employee surveys and exit interviews.
- Monitor recruitment and retention data.
- Contribute ideas to improve recruitment, onboarding and employee experience.
HR Administration
- Prepare contractual change documentation, including:
- Salary increases
- Promotions
- Changes to hours
- Changes to working patterns
- Transfers between nurseries
- Other employment changes
- Maintain confidential employee records.
- Update HR systems accurately and promptly.
- Produce HR correspondence and letters.
- Support payroll administration by providing accurate employee information.
- Respond to routine HR queries from managers and employees.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility at Puffins.
This role has a particularly important responsibility in ensuring that safer recruitment procedures are followed and that all recruitment decisions prioritise the safety and welfare of children.
The successful candidate will be expected to understand and follow all safeguarding policies and procedures and to raise concerns where appropriate.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Highly organised with strong administrative skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and other IT systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Positive, professional and approachable.
- Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and safer recruitment.
- Confidence to challenge, question and escalate concerns where necessary.
- Commitment to our values of Communication, Child-Centred practice and Kindness.
Desirable
- Previous experience in HR, recruitment or administration.
- Experience interviewing and recruiting staff.
- Knowledge of safer recruitment practices.
- Experience within early years, education, childcare, care or another regulated environment.
- Experience recruiting apprentices.
- Experience supporting staff induction and training.
- Knowledge of employment administration and contractual changes.
- Experience using HR or recruitment systems.
- CIPD qualification or working towards one.
Personal Qualities
We're looking for someone who is:
- Organised
- Approachable
- Accurate
- Proactive
- Confident
- Discreet
- People-focused
- Safeguarding-minded
Why Join Puffins?
- Be part of a values-driven organisation that puts children first.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on recruitment and employee experience.
- Supportive and friendly working environment.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Career development within a growing organisation.
Apply Now
If you're an organised and enthusiastic administrator who enjoys working with people and wants to help us recruit, retain and support outstanding employees, we'd love to hear from you.
Puffins of Exeter is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Location: Mont Le Grand, Exeter
Pay: From £14.75 per hour
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
