Senior HR Business Partner (Schools)

Venn Group; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Venn Group is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner (Schools) to provide strategic and operational HR support across maintained schools. The role is hybrid with 2/3 days on-site in the East Midlands and starts ASAP, for a duration through January 2027.

You will advise on employee relations, performance management and workforce planning, working with Head Teachers and school leaders. CIPD qualification and robust change management skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Senior HRBP experience in large/complex organisations.
• Extensive knowledge of employment legislation and HR policies.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and influencing outcomes.
• Strong employee relations and Trade Union experience.
• Experience developing HR colleagues and leading teams.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong change management, consultation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior HR advice across the employee lifecycle.
• Support complex employee relations matters including sickness, grievances and disciplinaries.
• Advise on performance management, restructures and workforce planning.
• Build relationships with senior school leaders and stakeholders.
• Support HR service redesign and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Trade Unions and support consultation/negotiation.
• Deputise for the HR Business Lead when required.
• Lead and develop HR Advisors within the team.

Skills

Senior HRBP experience

Employment law knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Employee relations

TU experience

People management

Change management

Education

CIPD qualified

Job description

Senior HR Business Partner (Schools)

Rate: £450 per day, Inside IR35 (Negotiable)

Location: Hybrid - 2/3 days onsite in East Midlands

Duration: Until January 2027

Start: ASAP

The role will provide strategic and operational HR support across the Council's maintained schools, working closely with Head Teachers, School Business Managers and Chairs of Governors.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing senior HR advice and guidance across the employee lifecycle
• Supporting complex employee relations matters including sickness, grievance and disciplinary cases
• Advising on performance management, restructuring, redundancy and workforce planning
• Building strong relationships with senior school leaders and key stakeholders
• Supporting HR service redesign and continuous improvement
• Working closely with Trade Unions and supporting consultation/negotiation
• Deputising for the HR Business Lead when required
• Leading and supporting HR Advisors within the team

Key experience required:

• Strong Senior HR Business Partner / HRBP experience, ideally within a large and complex organisation
• Extensive knowledge of employment legislation, HR policies and best practice
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and influencing outcomes
• Strong employee relations and Trade Union experience
• Experience managing and developing HR colleagues
• CIPD qualified or equivalent relevant experience
• Strong change management, consultation and negotiation skills