HR Business Partner

Edu Directory; Harlow; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Harlow College is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to support managers, leaders and staff across the organisation. You will provide expert guidance on employee relations, coaching leaders to deliver strong performance and ensuring compliant HR practices across the College.

You will deputise for the Executive Director of HR when required and lead the HR team in delivering people strategies, governance and continuous improvement to support a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification is required.
• Extensive current experience as HR Business Partner or senior generalist.
• Experience managing a busy employee relations caseload.
• Experience working with Trade Unions.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and practical application.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice across the full spectrum of employee relations.
• Coach and support managers to build high-performing teams.
• Deputise for the Executive Director of HR when required.
• Lead operational delivery of HR services across the College.
• Oversee employee lifecycle, recruitment, HR compliance and data reporting.
• Foster continuous improvement and outstanding customer service within the HR team.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Coaching & development

Employment law knowledge

Change 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

• 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.