Assistant HR Lead

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Ellesmere Port; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority in Ellesmere Port is seeking an Assistant HR Lead to join its School HR Consultancy service. This role involves managing HR for schools, collaborating with educational leaders, and driving change management initiatives. Applicants should have relevant HR experience and ideally hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification. The position offers flexible working arrangements with a focus on staff well-being and professional development.

Benefits

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Access to wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing complex HR casework.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to foster a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of schools and provide HR advice.
• Collaborate with school leaders and governors.
• Resolve complex HR issues in an employee-focused manner.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Active listening

Coaching and mentoring

Conflict resolution

Digital fluency

Education

Degree level education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking a well organised, high performing, HR professional to join our School HR Consultancy service as an Assistant HR Lead.
Joining our fast paced and dynamic team, you can help to shape the future of education in Cheshire West and Cheshire! You will be an experienced and proactive HR professional who will manage a portfolio of schools, in partnership with the HR Lead Officers. You’ll collaborate closely with leaders in education, Headteachers and Governors, to drive change management initiatives, manage complex casework, underpinned by a strong focus on staff health and wellbeing and a desire to create a workforce culture, driven by continuous development and high performance.
This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the educational offer in the borough, through provision of expert, compliant, HR advice and guidance to schools and academies. If you are passionate about empowering educators and building resilient school cultures, we’d love to hear from you.
Role Key Skills and Attributes.
• Stakeholder management of expectations across school leadership, local authority colleagues and trade unions
• Active listening, persuasion and negotiation skills to help manage complex and sensitive HR issues to a satisfactory resolution
• Coaching and mentoring skills to support school leaders and governors to be empowered in their decision making
• Ability to build trust and influence in diverse school communities, acknowledging their individual ethos and values
• Strong focus on conflict resolution and employee relations, in a highly unionised environment
• Sound judgement skills underpinned by excellent employment law and safeguarding knowledge, consistently modelling HR best practice and strategies
• Progressive, reflective HR practice and knowledge of legislation and caselaw to facilitate skill transfers to deliver workshops and training.
• Digital fluency and ability to work independently on own initiative and collaboratively as part of the wider team
You will ideally be educated to degree level, although not essential, but proven previous complex HR casework management is vital, you will also need to be either CIPD Level 5 minimum or equivalent experience qualified. The team welcome applications from individuals with a passion for education and public service, whether you're looking to broaden your HR expertise or transfer knowledge from another sector. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported to thrive, regardless of background or career stage.
Excellent communication skills, a proactive approach to change, and a collaborative mindset will help you succeed in this role. We value motivation, innovation, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering high-quality HR services to our schools and academies, through our buy-back model. We have a long standing, excellent reputation as the HR provider of choice for our schools and trusts, making it a key component of this role that you possess sound judgement, credibility and can build a great rapport with your portfolio of schools.
In return you will be playing your part to make a difference to our colleague experience at a high performing, IIP Gold rated Council, supporting schools to deliver the best educational provision to our children and young people.
The role is advertised as either a part time 30 hour per week, full year post or, full time 37 hour per week, part year post, (38 weeks), to align with our support services to schools and the academic calendar; also supporting our principles of flexible working and a family friendly approach, to be agreed upon issue of a conditional offer.
Agile Worker – working from home with occasional travel to workspaces across Cheshire West and Chester, including on site attendance at schools across the borough where business needs require.
Where applicable, you will also receive 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays after 5 years’ service, the ability to work flexibly, and have access to a range of benefits in terms of reward, wellbeing, and development. To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk
Interviews are likely to be held in early September, and this will include an HR process based assessment and exercise.
To arrange an informal discussion about the position, please contact Kate Thomson via email at [e-mail] or 07920821849.