Strategic HR & Employee Relations Manager

Wollborg Michelson Personnel Service Inc; Tamworth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Academies Trust (CAT) is seeking an HR professional to deliver employee relations support across the Trust, using workforce data to mitigate risks and support leaders through investigations, hearings and policy application.

The role covers recruitment, workforce planning, probation and exit processes, safeguarding compliance, and policy development, with a focus on wellbeing, ED&I and payroll accuracy. Collaboration with schools and leadership is essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver solutions-focused, professional employee relations support across the Trust.
• Use workforce data to identify risks and drive proactive interventions.
• Support investigations, suspensions, capability, absence management and formal hearings, ensuring consistent application of Trust policies.
• Provide coaching, training, and alternatives to formal processes (e.g., mediation, counselling).
• Develop and implement effective recruitment and workforce planning strategies to build high-performing teams.
• Partner with senior leaders to review structures, plan future staffing needs and manage change processes (restructures, redundancies, flexible working).
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment with schools, ensuring safer recruitment compliance, up-to-date guidance, and high-quality candidate materials.
• Act as the subject-matter expert for resourcing, employment legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Oversee probation and leaver processes, ensuring timely progression and effective management of contentious cases.
• Support schools to maintain compliant Single Central Record.
• Provide guidance on KCSIE updates and ensure Trust policies reflect statutory safeguarding requirements.
• Advise leaders on implementing HR policies relating to recruitment, pay, employment practice, wellbeing and ED&I.
• Support the drafting and review of progressive HR policies and toolkits, and contribute to policy briefings, training and the promotion of a positive employee relations climate.
• Support the development of Trust-wide pay structures and contribute to the delivery of the pay and reward strategy.
• Support wellbeing initiatives, surveys and action planning.
• Provide training on wellbeing and work proactively with leaders, OH and external agencies to manage attendance, implement adjustments, and facilitate successful returns to work.
• Support the implementation of the Trust’s EDI action plan, Gender Pay Gap reduction initiatives, and the delivery of ongoing EDI training.
• Maintain accurate HR/payroll data aligned to Trust policies.
• Support the effective use of systems across the Trust, ensure accurate application of terms and conditions, and provide reliable people metrics to inform decision-making.
• Oversee payroll-related activities such as new starters, changes and leavers.
• Prepare and deliver internal training aligned to HR strategy and policy requirements.
• Work with senior leaders and the Director of the Institute of Education on talent development, succession planning and the Apprenticeship Strategy.
• Provide expert advice on complex employment cases.
• Produce HR metrics and reports, lead or contribute to HR projects, and collaborate across the HR team to improve service delivery.
• Provide cover for colleagues when required.
• Engage in continuous professional development, maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation and HR best practice, and participate in professional networks.
• Offer consistent coaching, support and development to other members of the team.

Job description

Community Academies Trust (CAT) is seeking an HR professional to deliver employee relations support across the Trust, using workforce data to mitigate risks and support leaders through investigations, hearings and policy application.

The role covers recruitment, workforce planning, probation and exit processes, safeguarding compliance, and policy development, with a focus on wellbeing, ED&I and payroll accuracy. Collaboration with schools and leadership is essential.