HR Advisor

The Methodist Church in Britain; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CIPD funding

Annual leave 28–31 days

Hybrid working

Career progression

Employee assistance programme

Blue Light Card discounts

Long service awards

Job summary

Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust is seeking a permanent HR Advisor to join its central HR team. The role provides professional advice to school leaders and staff on employee relations, recruitment and wider people matters.

Working 37 hours a week with hybrid working during academy holidays, the post supports probation completion and collaborates with Directors of People. The start date is January 2027; visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Provide professional HR advice and support to school leaders and colleagues across the Trust.
• Advise on employee relations matters and recruitment.
• Support wider people matters and ensure fair, consistent practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional HR advice and support to school leaders and colleagues across the Trust.
• Advise on employee relations matters.
• Advise on recruitment matters.
• Advise on wider people matters.

Skills

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Proactive problem-solving

Employee relations

Workload management

Job description

This permanent HR Advisor post sits in the central HR team of Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust, which runs seven schools. The role gives professional advice to school leaders and colleagues on employee relations, recruitment and wider people matters. It is a 37-hour post, subject to completing probation, with hybrid working during academy holidays and a team that includes the Directors of People. Visa sponsorship is not available, and the post starts in January 2027.

What the job involves

• Provide professional HR advice and support to school leaders and colleagues across the Trust
• Advise on employee relations matters
• Advise on recruitment matters
• Advise on wider people matters

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to build strong, professional relationships
• Proactive, practical and solution-focused approach to challenges
• Understanding of fair, consistent and supportive employee relations practice
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage own workload

Other

• Passion for people and for making a positive difference in education
• Commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and staff

What’s offered

• Funding and support towards a CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification
• 28 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service, plus bank holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working during academy holiday periods
• Career progression opportunities within a growing Trust
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling, physiotherapy, virtual GP services and personal training support
• Shopping and lifestyle discounts, including Blue Light Card access
• Long service recognition awards