Senior HR Business Partner

CATS Global Schools; Hartford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in the UK seeks a Senior HR Business Partner to optimize workforce management and support school leadership. Required qualifications include CIPD Level 7 and significant experience within education. Join a dedicated team committed to shaping the next generation of leaders and ensuring a supportive learning environment.

Benefits

Cycle to work Scheme

Tech Scheme

Car Scheme

Free flu vaccine through Healthshield

Free eye tests

Financial wellbeing support via WageStream

Employee Assistance Programme

Group income protection

GP24: GP Access for all

Health Cash Plan

Death in Service

Long service awards

Employee referral scheme

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Qualifications

• Previous experience at this level within a large education group is essential.
• Excellent knowledge of Employment Law.
• In-depth knowledge of managing school budgets in relation to workforce planning.

Responsibilities

• Support head teachers and senior leadership team with HR expertise.
• Contribute to cross-organisational HR initiatives.
• Challenge workforce assumptions for better outcomes.

Skills

Professional credibility

Excellent relationship building skills

Strong influencing skills

Attention to detail

Good numeracy skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong written communication skills

Strong verbal communication skills

Problem solver

Exceptional time management

Education

CIPD Level 7

Undergraduate Degree in relevant subject

Job description

The Senior HR Business Partner (HRBP) will play a pivotal strategic role within the group. Acting as a trusted advisor, supporting head teachers and the senior leadership team. The postholder will provide expert HR leadership across the full employee lifecycle, with a particular focus on strategic workforce planning, budget alignment, and staff optimisation to ensure that resources are effectively deployed to deliver outstanding educational outcomes.

This role will require strong analytical capability, the confidence to challenge workforce assumptions, and the ability to balance student needs, financial sustainability, and staff wellbeing. The Senior HRBP will also contribute to cross‑organisational HR initiatives, embedding a culture of evidence‑based decision‑making and proactive workforce management across the school network.

Previous experience at this level within a large education group is essential, as the postholder will be expected to provide expert knowledge and advice to the board regarding school budgets and teacher‑pupil ratios.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Academic:

• CIPD Level 7.
• Undergraduate Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Excellent knowledge of Employment Law.
• In‑depth knowledge and understanding of managing school budgets in relation to workforce planning.
• Experience of working in a fast‑paced, evolving company.
• Experience of working in the education industry.

Skills:

• Professional credibility.
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Strong influencing skills.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Good numeracy skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, driven, able to work on own initiative to prioritise own workload effectively with minimal supervision.
• Problem solver.
• Exceptional time management & organisational skills, has the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.

CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts school, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada and China. Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real‑life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well‑developed links to over 40 top global universities. We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.

CGS is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well‑being of children and young people. As such, appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.

Benefits

• Cycle to work Scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Car Scheme
• Free flu vaccine through Healthshield
• Free eye tests
• Financial wellbeing support via WageStream
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Group income protection
• GP24: GP Access for all
• Health Cash Plan
• Death in Service
• Long service awards
• Employee referral scheme
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay