People Partner (HR)

LeighAcademiesTrust; Strood; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Free on-site parking

Generous annual leave

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme & 24/7GP

Job summary

Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is seeking a senior HR leader to manage the Employee Experience team, oversee workload and casework, and guide People Advisors and Administrators across North West Kent and South East London.

You will handle a complex caseload, support chairs at formal hearings, lead restructures, TUPE and redundancy, and shape the team as LAT builds a world-class people function with a strong focus on colleague experience and safeguarding commitments.

Qualifications

• Emotionally resilient HR professional with solutions-focused mindset.
• Commercial acumen to advise at senior level on complex matters.
• Solid understanding of employment law and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Employee Experience team and oversee workload and casework.
• Support chairs at formal hearings, investigations, and restructures including TUPE and redundancy.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders and develop the team to meet LAT's People Strategy.

Skills

Emotional resilience

Solutions-focused

Commercial acumen

Employment law knowledge

Job description

Competitive salary with progression opportunities + Local Government Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits.

Who we are:

Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is one of the South East’s largest and most progressive multi-academy trusts, encompassing 33 academies across Kent, Medway, and South East London, spanning primary, secondary, grammar, all-through and specialist provision. We are ambitious, values-led and committed to our people.

Our People Services team is at the centre of that ambition. We are guided by Be Leigh, our cultural framework that defines what every colleague should experience at the Trust, and we are now developing our next People Strategy, which will shape how we recruit, develop and retain our people through to 2030. This is a team with a clear sense of direction and senior leadership support to deliver it.

The role:

This is a senior, varied and fast-moving role. You will manage the Employee Experience team, overseeing workload and casework, building capacity and being the person your People Advisors and Administrators turn to when they need support, guidance or a steer.

You will manage a complex caseload, support chairs at formal hearings, undertake and support investigations, lead on restructures, TUPE and redundancy, and provide expert advice and appropriate challenge to senior leaders. You will also play an active part in developing the team.

What we are looking for:

You are an emotionally resilient, solutions-focused HR professional who puts colleague experience first. You possess the commercial acumen to advise at a senior level and the technical expertise to navigate complex employment law.

Why join us:

This isn't a role where you will stand still. You will gain a varied, genuinely challenging portfolio with real autonomy in a massive, complex organisation. You are joining us at a pivotal moment as we build a world-class people function that directly impacts thousands of colleagues.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary from £41,348 - £53,178 per annum, based on experience


• Generous annual leave (25 days, increasing to 30 after 5 years' service + bank holidays)


• Hybrid working


• Local Government Pension Scheme


• Enhanced Maternity Pay


• Free on-site parking


• Training and development opportunities


• Employee Assistance Programme & 24/7 GP service

This is a full-time, hybrid role. You will work four days in the office or across your academy portfolio, with one day working from home. Your academies will be based across North West Kent and South East London.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about it on our Careers site. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

As a Trust, we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not discriminating on any grounds.