Regional People Partner

Kate+Co; Runcorn; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension (6.8% employee / 14.1% 1)

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Travel expenses reimbursed

Hybrid working

Job summary

KC Group Recruitment is partnering with a leading education organisation to recruit a Regional People Partner on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Hybrid role with 1–2 days on-site in the Runcorn area and regular travel across North academies.

You will manage complex ER casework, advise senior leaders, and support a large unionised workforce while ensuring compliance with UK employment law. CIPD qualification desirable and strong stakeholder coaching are required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a People Partner, HR Business Partner, or Senior HR Advisor role.
• Strong employee relations experience with the ability to manage complex casework autonomously.
• Previous experience working within the education sector.
• Experience operating within a unionised environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and coaching skills.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders and managers to provide expert HR advice and guidance.
• Manage a high-volume and complex employee relations caseload, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, performance, capability, and wellbeing matters.
• Support managers through difficult people matters, ensuring risks are effectively managed and employment law requirements are met.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across the region and act as a trusted HR advisor.
• Work closely with Trade Union representatives to maintain positive employee relations.
• Support organisational change projects, consultations, restructures, and workforce planning activities.
• Analyse people data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement and support decision-making.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of people policies and initiatives.

Skills

HR Partner

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

KC Group Recruitment are partnering with a leading education organisation to recruit an experienced Regional People Partner on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This hybrid role combines home working with regular travel across academies in the North region, including 1-2 days per week on-site in the Runcorn area.

This is an excellent opportunity for a HR professional with a strong employee relations background to join a busy and supportive People team. The role will have a significant focus on managing complex ER casework, partnering with senior leaders, and supporting a large, unionised workforce across multiple sites.

Key Responsibilities of the Regional People Partner:

• Partner with senior leaders and managers to provide expert HR advice and guidance.
• Manage a high-volume and complex employee relations caseload, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, performance, capability, and wellbeing matters.
• Support managers through difficult people matters, ensuring risks are effectively managed and employment law requirements are met.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across the region and act as a trusted HR advisor.
• Work closely with Trade Union representatives to maintain positive employee relations.
• Support organisational change projects, consultations, restructures, and workforce planning activities.
• Analyse people data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement and support decision-making.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of people policies and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities of the Regional People Partner role:

• Proven experience in a People Partner, HR Business Partner, or Senior HR Advisor role.
• Strong employee relations experience with the ability to manage complex casework autonomously.
• Previous experience working within the education sector.
• Experience operating within a unionised environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and coaching skills.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience desirable.

What's on Offer

• £50,000 - £54,000 per annum
• Hybrid working with 2 days per week required in the Runcorn area
• 12-month fixed-term contract
• Opportunity to join a values-led organisation making a positive impact within education
• Supportive and collaborative working environment
• Excellent benefits package including LGPS pension (6.8% employee / 14.1% employer contributions), 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, and reimbursement of business travel expenses