People Partner - People Services Team

The Mead Educational Trust; United States; Remote; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mead Educational Trust is seeking an experienced People Partner to join the Central People Services Team. You will provide professional HR advice across a wide range of people matters, coach leaders and support the development of our People Framework to promote wellbeing and inclusion across our schools.

Working with Principals and senior leaders, you will influence practices, lead complex employee relations matters and drive continuous improvement in people management across the Trust.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent.
• Significant experience in a generalist HR role.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and its practical application.
• Experience of providing professional HR advice to senior leaders.
• Experience of supporting organisational change and workforce restructuring.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities with a varied caseload.
• Proactive, flexible and solution-focused approach.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and improving people management practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong trusted relationships with Principals, senior leaders and managers across allocated schools.
• Provide expert HR advice on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance.
• Support employee relations cases and investigations, advising on policy, procedure and risk.
• Guide on organisational change, restructures, TUPE, consultation and redeployment.
• Support attendance management, wellbeing and reasonable adjustments.
• Coach managers to strengthen confidence and capability in managing people matters.
• Ensure consistent application of Trust policies and safer recruitment requirements.
• Collaborate with trade unions and employee representatives to foster constructive relations.
• Use workforce data to identify issues and inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to reviewing and developing people policies and management training.

Skills

CIPD Level 5

Generalist HR

Employment law

HR advisory

Change management

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Prioritisation

Professional development

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

As our Trust continues to grow and develop, our People Services Team plays an increasingly important role in supporting our school leaders, strengthening people management practices and creating a working environment where our colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive. Working closely with Principals, senior leaders and managers, you will provide professional, solution-focused HR advice and guidance across a wide range of people matters, whilst helping to translate our People Framework into everyday practice. We are looking for someone who can balance professional expertise with a supportive and pragmatic approach, building the confidence and capability of leaders to manage people effectively and make fair, consistent and informed decisions. This is much more than a traditional HR advisory role. You will have the opportunity to influence people practices, contribute to Trust-wide initiatives and support the continued development of a modern, innovative and responsive People Services function.

Main Duties and Responsibilities As a People Partner, you will:

• Develop strong and trusted working relationships with Principals, senior leaders and managers across allocated schools, providing expert HR advice, coaching and professional challenge.
• Provide professional guidance and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, absence management and other complex employment issues.
• Manage and support employee relations cases, ensuring that matters are progressed fairly, consistently and within appropriate timescales.
• Support formal investigations, hearings and appeals, advising managers on employment law, policy, procedure and organisational risk.
• Provide advice and guidance on organisational change, including restructures, TUPE, consultation, redeployment and redundancy.
• Support school leaders in taking a proactive approach to attendance management, employee wellbeing, reasonable adjustments and occupational health matters.
• Coach and develop managers to strengthen their confidence and capability in managing people matters effectively.
• Support the consistent application of Trust policies, safer recruitment requirements and relevant national and local terms and conditions of employment.
• Work collaboratively with recognised trade unions and employee representatives to support constructive and effective working relationships.
• Use workforce information, casework trends and professional insight to identify emerging issues, inform decision-making and support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the review and development of people policies, procedures, guidance and management training.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, embrace digital solutions and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.
• Play an active role in delivering the Trust's People Framework, supporting initiatives relating to employee wellbeing, inclusion, professional development, flexible working and organisational effectiveness.
• Life Friendly - "Balanced flexibility, stronger outcomes." Supporting approaches to work that recognise the importance of wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Intelligent Work Design - "Smart work, more impact." Embracing technology, improving processes and reducing unnecessary administration.
• Flourishing People - "People aspire; people thrive." Supporting professional development, collaboration and opportunities for career progression.

As part of our Central People Services Team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced colleagues, develop your knowledge and skills, and play an important role in supporting the schools and employees across our Trust. We are particularly interested in individuals who are excited by the opportunity to help shape how our services develop, bringing fresh ideas, a positive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

The Mead Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, in accordance with the requirements of the role and current safeguarding legislation and guidance. TMET is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment, valuing diversity and ensuring equality of opportunity for all applicants and employees.

We are looking to appoint an experienced, enthusiastic and forward-thinking People Partner to join our Central People Services Team at The Mead Educational Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished HR professional who is passionate about people, enjoys building positive working relationships and wants to make a meaningful difference to the experience of colleagues working across our schools. We are seeking a confident, approachable and highly motivated HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to supporting others.

The successful candidate will have:

• A CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent as specified in the Person Specification.
• Significant experience of working in a generalist HR role, including managing complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and its practical application within the workplace.
• Experience of providing professional HR advice and guidance to senior leaders and managers.
• The confidence to provide constructive professional challenge whilst maintaining positive and effective working relationships.
• Experience of supporting organisational change, consultation and workforce restructuring.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and a varied caseload effectively.
• A proactive, flexible and solution-focused approach.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and improving people management practices.

Experience of working within an education setting, particularly within a multi-academy trust, would be advantageous, although we also welcome applications from experienced HR professionals in other sectors who can demonstrate strong transferable skills. Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our values, demonstrates kindness and professionalism, and is passionate about helping our people and schools succeed.

Why Join TMET?

At The Mead Educational Trust, our shared purpose is simple: "Together we make a positive difference." We recognise that our people are central to achieving this ambition, and our People Framework reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where colleagues feel inspired, supported, included and able to flourish. Our People Framework is built around four key cornerstones:

• Inclusive Excellence - "Everyone belongs; everyone has opportunity. "Creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, barriers.