Permanent | Full-time

About the School - Hastings School, Lorenzo Solano Tendero:1415 students | 56 nationalities | 6 sites | 1 school

Hastings School, founded in 1971, serves students aged 2-18, from a diverse community and is nestled in the heart of Madrid, Spain. We are a prestigious, premium international school, within the Cognita family of schools.  Our holistic educational approach delivers outstanding academic results. Whilst in the last two years our graduates leave to attend many of the best universities around the world including; University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Duke University, University of Edinburgh, King's College London, KU Leuven, LSE, University of St Andrews & Delft University of Technology to but name a few.

We want students of all ages to enjoy their educational journey at Hastings starting from their first day at school. We want them to fulfil their academic potential and develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes they will need in the future.

We utilize a series of learning habits as part of our learner power approach. These habits are Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity, Empathy, Reflection, Resilience, Responsibility and Thinking.

At Hastings, as part of the Cognita group of schools, we explicitly design our approach to education to help students develop these attributes and emerge ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

This is a remarkable time for an experienced HR professional, to join a remarkable school.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced HR professional to take the lead in coordinating and delivering day-to-day HR operations across six school sites. This role is ideal for someone currently working as a Senior HR Coordinator or HR Generalist, who is ready for a step up in responsibility and ownership of HR processes.

Reporting to the Business Manager, you will:

• Be the first point of contact for routine HR queries from staff and the School Leadership Team (SLT).
• Support the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment administration, onboarding, contracting, attendance, payroll coordination, and day-to-day employee relations.
• Ensure HR processes run smoothly, accurately, and in compliance with Spanish labour law and Cognita policies.
• Supervise and support the HR Assistant, helping organise workloads and maintain consistent, compliant HR practices.
• Contribute to HR projects across the wider Cognita network, developing your skills and experience.
  
  

With around 210 employees, this is a busy, operational role that requires excellent organisation, attention to detail, and strong communication skills.

To view our full Role Profile, click here .

Who We Are Looking For:

This role will appeal to someone who enjoys structured, process-focused HR work and is ready to take the next step in their career.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience in operational HR roles such as Senior HR Assistant, Senior HR Coordinator, or HR Generalist.
• Have a good understanding of Spanish labour law, or a solid foundation and motivation to develop further.
• Be highly organised, meticulous, and skilled in managing documentation, contracts, and HR systems.
• Communicate clearly and build positive, professional relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Take a proactive, solutions-focused approach to day-to-day HR matters.
• Have experience supporting junior HR staff or guiding colleagues through processes.
• Be adaptable, approachable, and comfortable in a busy, varied environment.
• Ideally, have experience with HRIS systems and supporting payroll/benefits administration in Spain.
  
  

Benefits at Cognita:

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience
• Free breakfast and lunch provided during Term Time
• School holidays and public holidays
• Free parking on site (subject to availability)
• School discounts
• Exclusive third-party discounts
• Ongoing professional development
  
  

How to Apply:

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 11th January 2026

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.