Human Resources Business Partner

University Schools Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University Schools Trust in London is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join our People Directorate and support our schools, leaders and colleagues to deliver outstanding education for children and young people across London.

This is a strategic and hands-on role: you will work with Headteachers and senior leaders, provide expert advice, manage complex employee relations, workforce planning and leadership development, and help shape the culture across the Trust.

Qualifications

• Experience across strategic and operational HR in complex environments.
• Proven ability to lead employee relations cases and change programmes.
• Skilled in workforce planning, leadership development and advisory support.
• Strong professional judgment, credibility and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic challenge and expert HR advice to school leaders.
• Lead complex employee relations cases and organisational change programmes.
• Support workforce planning and leadership development across allocated schools.
• Advise on restructures, succession planning and workforce policies.

Skills

Strategic HR

Employee relations

People leadership

HR policy and governance

Job description

At University Schools Trust, we know that great schools are built by great people.

We're looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our People Directorate and play a key role in supporting our schools, leaders and colleagues to deliver outstanding education for children and young people across London.

This is not a traditional HR role focused solely on policy advice or administration.

As the HR professional for a portfolio of schools, you will work closely with Headteachers, Principals and senior leaders, providing strategic challenge, expert advice and hands‑on support across the full range of people matters. From leading complex employee relations cases and organisational change programmes to supporting workforce planning and leadership development, you'll be a trusted adviser who helps leaders navigate challenges and make informed decisions.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence organisational culture, support leaders through difficult conversations, and help shape the future of schools, we'd love to hear from you.

As HR Business Partner, you will be responsible for delivering both strategic and operational HR support across your allocated schools.

You'll work autonomously, managing a varied and often complex workload, while collaborating closely with colleagues across the wider People Team.

No two days are the same.

One day you may be coaching a Headteacher through a sensitive employee relations matter; the next you could be supporting a school restructure, analysing workforce trends, delivering management training or advising on succession planning and organisational development.

This role requires excellent professional judgement, resilience, credibility and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced HR professional who understands both the strategic and operational aspects of people management.

You'll likely have experience as:

• HR Business Partner
• HR Manager
• Employee Relations Specialist
• Senior People Partner

Ideally within education, public sector, not-for-profit or similarly complex environments, although we welcome applicants from other sectors who can demonstrate transferable experience.

This role is rewarding, challenging and occasionally demanding.

You'll need to be comfortable having difficult conversations, making balanced professional judgements and supporting leaders through complex workforce issues.

In return, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, influence organisational culture and help create environments where both staff and pupils can thrive.