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HR Business Partner

TES FE News

Matlock

On-site

GBP 45,000 - 50,000

Full time

2 days ago
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Job summary

An educational institution in Matlock is looking for an HR Business Partner to align HR strategy with the school's mission. Responsibilities include managing recruitment, employee relations, and compliance with educational regulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in HR, excellent communication skills, and experience in the education sector. Salary ranges from £45,000 to £50,000 per annum with 30 days paid leave.

Benefits

30 days paid annual leave
Flexible working hours

Qualifications

  • 3+ years experience as a HR Business Partner or in a similar HR role within an educational setting.
  • In-depth knowledge of UK Employment Law and Health & Safety obligations.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to support decision-making.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership in HR matters.
  • Manage recruitment processes ensuring alignment with the school’s values.
  • Implement training and development programs for staff.

Skills

Strong knowledge of HR best practices
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Analytical skills
Experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
Understanding of wellbeing initiatives

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification

Job description

Job Overview

CORE PURPOSE

The HR Business Partner plays a crucial role in aligning the human resources strategy with the St Helen’s mission, values and strategic goals. This position requires an experienced HR professional who understands the unique challenges and opportunities within the educational environment.

The HR Business Partner will serve as a trusted advisor to school leadership and staff, providing guidance on a wide range of HR functions including talent management, employee relations, and organisational development. The ideal candidate will leverage their expertise to foster a positive school culture, enhance employee engagement, and support the development of academic staff. Responsibilities will encompass the design and implementation of HR initiatives that promote best practices in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of educators.

Additionally, the HR Business Partner will play a strategic role in addressing workforce planning and compliance with educational regulations, ensuring that the school is equipped with the right talent to deliver high-quality education. With a collaborative approach, the HR Business Partner will work closely with various stakeholders to cultivate an environment where teachers and the support team can thrive, ultimately contributing to the success and well-being of the students.

Reporting

The HR Business Partner will report to the Director of People and Culture.

SALARY RANGE: £45,000.00 - £50,000.00 per annum.

Hours

Our core office hours are 8.00am – 4.30pm or 8.30 - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, with an hour’s unpaid lunch break. However, the nature and seniority of this role requires a level of flexibility.

This role is whole year (52-week contract) and therefore attracts a total of 30 days paid annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays) during our holiday year which runs from 1st September to the 31st of August.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership and Leadership

  • Serve as a strategic partner to St Helen’s leadership team in all human resources-related matters
  • Analyse HR metrics to inform strategic decisions and identify areas for improvement.
  • You will provide a comprehensive and pro-active administrative support service in relation to all aspects of HR

Talent Management and Recruitment

  • Manage the recruitment and onboarding process for teaching and non-teaching staff, ensuring that recruitment processes are efficient, inclusive, and aligned with the school’s values.
  • Consult with the Director of People and Culture to identify staffing needs and develop talent acquisition strategies, ensuring that the school attracts and retains high-calibre talent.
  • Develop and implement recruitment marketing strategies to enhance our employer brand and attract top talent.
  • Source candidates through advanced search techniques, including LinkedIn, professional networks and industry databases. Build and maintain talent pipelines for future hiring needs through ongoing candidate engagement.
  • Design and oversee comprehensive onboarding programs that ensure seamless integration of new staff into our school culture.
  • Lead the development of structured buddy systems that accelerate new employee success and retention.

Employee Relations and Development

  • Provide guidance and support in employee relations matters, including conflict resolution and performance issues from the point of escalation from the HR Advisor.
  • Implement training and development programs for staff to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
  • Coach managers through performance conversations and development planning.
  • Develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders (SLT)

Compliance and Safeguarding

  • Ensure that all people-related policies and practices comply with relevant legislation and best practice.
  • Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Director of People and Culture to ensure that safeguarding is embedded in all people-related processes
  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Maintain rigorous standards for DBS checks and safeguarding protocols

Culture and Engagement

  • Support and promote and the School’s ethos, aims, and objectives
  • Lead Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the organisation.
  • Promote a positive, inclusive, and collaborative organisational culture that reflects the school’s values
  • Support the Director of People and Culture with staff engagement initiatives, including surveys, focus groups, and feedback mechanisms
  • Foster strong relationships with staff at all levels, ensuring that their voices are heard and acted upon

Reporting and Policy

  • Support the Director of People and Culture with the creation of HR dashboards highlighting key metrics on recruitment/retention and performance.
  • Prepare regular HR reports including headcount, absence, turnover and recruitment statistics.
  • Partner with the Director of People and Culture to conduct comprehensive policy reviews ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.

Other Duties

  • Attend meetings and be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team
  • Follow responsibilities as defined in the Health & Safety Policy
  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people with whom s/he comes into contact and adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
  • Support and promote the school’s ethos, strategic plans and objectives
  • Any other duties that may from time to time be required by the Business Operations Director, Head or Board of Governors.

THE PERSON

Essential Criteria

  • Strong knowledge of HR best practice, employment law, and safeguarding requirements.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels.
  • An understanding of wellbeing initiatives and their impact on organisational performance.
  • Experience in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use data to support decision-making.
  • A commitment to the values and ethos of St Helen’s School.
  • Proven experience in leading HR through organisational change or transformation.
  • In-depth knowledge of UK Employment Law
  • Equality Act 2010
  • GDPR (UK Data Protection Act 2018)
  • TUPE regulations
  • Disciplinary and grievance procedure
  • Familiarity with HR compliance and Health & Safety obligations under UK law (e.g. HSE requirements)
  • Current DBS clearance

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

  • 3+ years’ experience as a HR Business Partner or in a similar HR role within an educational setting
  • Experience with education sector pay scales and teacher contracts
  • Knowledge of Ofsted requirements and school inspection process
  • Ability to analyse HR data and metrics to drive decisions and initiatives
  • Experience in facilitating training sessions and workshops for staff development
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of the specific challenges facing the education sector, including recruitment and retention.
  • CIPD Level 7 qualification with Chartered Member status (CM, CIPD or FCIPD)
  • Experience in unionised environments and with governing bodies/trustees

Key Skills & Competencies

  • High emotional intelligence – the ability to read situations and respond with empathy
  • Confident communicator who influences and inspires through both written and verbal channels
  • Strategic thinker with sharp analytical and decision-making abilities
  • Resilient problem-solver who thrives in fact-paced, dynamic environments

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2024 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.
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