Strategic HR Business Partner for Multi-School Growth

The Co Operative Academies Trust; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Co-op Academies Trust is seeking a Strategic HR Business Partner to lead the South Cumbria hub and support expansion across the Trust. The role focuses on executive partnering, workforce design, TUPE, and strategic workforce planning in a multi-site education context.

You will advise on UK employment law, negotiate with unions, coach senior leaders, and drive regional capability building while upholding cooperative values and safeguarding commitments.

Qualifications

• CIPD Chartered status or equivalent experience.
• Substantial strategic HRBP or HR Manager experience delivering large-scale change.
• Proven track record leading end-to-end TUPE transfers.
• Deep knowledge of UK employment law and union negotiations.
• Experience in multi-site or Education/Multi-Academy Trust settings.
• Strategic workforce planning and organisational development experience.
• Executive stakeholder management and strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to cooperative values, inclusion and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Strategic partnering with Regional Directors and school leaders to embed a modern HR operating model.
• Design, deliver and evaluate multi-school restructuring programmes and organisational redesigns.
• Lead end-to-end TUPE consultations and integration for academy joiners.
• Collaborate on 3-year workforce planning, succession planning, and recruitment strategies using HR analytics.
• Provide authoritative advice on UK employment legislation, STPCD and NJC terms; manage ER caseloads and union negotiations.
• Provide executive coaching and capability development for academy leadership teams.

Skills

Strategic HRBP

TUPE leadership

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Workforce planning

Change management

Education

CIPD Chartered status or equivalent

Job description

The Co-op Academies Trust is seeking a Strategic HR Business Partner to lead the South Cumbria hub and support expansion across the Trust. The role focuses on executive partnering, workforce design, TUPE, and strategic workforce planning in a multi-site education context.

You will advise on UK employment law, negotiate with unions, coach senior leaders, and drive regional capability building while upholding cooperative values and safeguarding commitments.