HR Business Partner

Learners Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Local Government Pension Scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Learners' Trust in Sheffield is hiring an experienced HR Business Partner to join the HR team and support leaders across the Trust.

You will provide strategic and operational HR advice, lead employee relations, workforce planning and policy implementation while promoting safeguarding and staff wellbeing. The role offers opportunities for professional development and a collaborative working environment within a supportive trust culture.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification required at minimum (Level 7 desirable).
• Experience as HR Advisor or HR Business Partner.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Ability to manage complex employee relations cases.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in education sector or similar complex organisation (desirable).
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commitment to safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert HR advice and guidance to leaders and managers across the Trust.
• Lead and support employee relations casework (disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, flexible working).
• Support organisational change initiatives, restructures, consultations, and workforce planning activities.
• Develop effective relationships with Headteachers and senior leaders to understand business needs and HR solutions.
• Analyse workforce data and trends to support strategic decisions.
• Support recruitment, retention and talent development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements, Trust policies and best practice.
• Contribute to the review and development of HR policies and procedures.
• Support wellbeing, engagement and inclusion initiatives across the Trust.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Organisational change

Workforce planning

Policy implementation

Leadership coaching

Data analysis

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 5

Level 7 desirable

Job description

Learners' Trust is seeking to recruit an experienced HR Business Partner to join their HR Team.

The HR Business Partner will work strategically with the Head Teachers, School Business Partners and other Senior Leadership staff within the Trust.

Learners' Trust is a growing Multi-Academy Trust committed to providing exceptional education and support services across our family of schools. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to creating an environment where staff can thrive, develop, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Business Partner to join our HR team and play a key role in supporting leaders across the Trust.

The Role

As an HR Business Partner, you will work closely with Headteachers, School Business Partners, and senior leaders to provide high-quality, professional HR advice and support. You will act as a trusted partner, helping to deliver strategic and operational HR solutions that support organisational objectives and promote positive employee relations. The role offers a varied workload, including employee relations, organisational change, recruitment support, workforce planning, policy implementation, and leadership coaching.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert HR advice and guidance to leaders and managers across the Trust.
• Lead and support employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, capability, flexible working, and family-friendly policies.
• Support organisational change initiatives, restructures, consultations, and workforce planning activities.
• Develop effective relationships with Headteachers and senior leaders to understand business needs and identify appropriate HR solutions.
• Analyse workforce data and trends to support strategic decision-making.
• Support recruitment, retention, and talent development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding requirements, Trust policies, and best practice.
• Contribute to the review and development of HR policies and procedures.
• Support wellbeing, engagement, and inclusion initiatives across the Trust.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a CIPD Level 5 qualification as a minimum (Level 7 desirable).
• Has significant experience in an HR Advisor or HR Business Partner role.
• Has strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Can effectively manage complex employee relations cases.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Has experience of working within the education sector or a similarly complex organisation (desirable).
• Is highly organised, resilient, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Shares our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

What We Offer

• A rewarding role supporting schools and improving outcomes for children.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to employee wellbeing support and benefits.
• Flexible and agile working opportunities where appropriate.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Safeguarding

Learners' Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment checks.