HR Business Partner

Harlow College Group; Birtley; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Harlow College Group is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to provide expert advice across employee relations and people practices. You will partner with managers and leaders to drive a positive workplace culture and ensure compliance with employment legislation and College policies.

Reporting to the Executive HR team, you will lead the HR function, coach managers, oversee recruitment and workforce data, and develop the HR team to deliver innovative people solutions across the College.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualification to at least Level 5.
• Extensive experience as HR Business Partner or senior HR generalist in FE or education.
• Proven experience with employee relations and TU engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance across employee relations including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and absence management.
• Support senior leaders to build high-performing teams and navigate complex people issues.
• Lead operational delivery of HR services, oversee lifecycle, recruitment, compliance, data reporting, and safeguarding.
• Develop and lead the HR team with a culture of continuous improvement and service excellence.

Skills

Relationship building

People coaching

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD Level 5

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to join Harlow College as an HR Business Partner, playing a key role in supporting our managers, leaders and staff across the whole organisation. As part of a forward-thinking HR team, you will be at the heart of driving positive workplace culture, organisational effectiveness and exceptional people practices.

We're looking for an experienced and proactive HR professional who thrives on building strong relationships, managing complex employee relations matters and partnering with leaders to deliver successful outcomes. If you're looking for a role where your expertise, ideas and influence will truly matter, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As HR Business Partner, you will provide expert advice and guidance across the full spectrum of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, organisational change and restructures.

Working closely with senior leaders and managers, you will coach, challenge and support them to build high-performing teams, navigate complex people issues and ensure compliance with employment legislation and College policies.

This is an influential role with significant responsibility. You will deputise for the Executive Director of HR when required and lead the operational delivery of HR services across the College. From overseeing the employee lifecycle, recruitment and HR compliance to data reporting and safeguarding, you will help ensure our people processes are effective, compliant and fit for the future.

You will also lead and develop the HR team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and outstanding customer service.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will:

• Be CIPD qualified to at least Level 5.
• Have extensive current experience operating within an HR Business Partner or equivalent senior generalist HR role, ideally within Further Education or the wider education sector.
• Be experienced in managing a busy employee relations caseload.
• Have experience of working effectively with Trade Unions.
• Possess extensive knowledge of employment law and its practical application.
• Demonstrate significant experience managing complex disciplinary, grievance, organisational change and restructuring processes.
• Have experience of leading, coaching and developing staff.