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- Tasks: Join our People Team to support HR initiatives and enhance employee experiences.
- Company: Arbor is transforming education by making schools happier and more efficient for staff.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, wellness support, flexible working, and a dog-friendly office.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving the work-life balance in education.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 3 or 5 preferred; experience in HR with knowledge of UK employment law required.
- Other info: We promote diversity and equality, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Arbor, we’re on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better. We believe in a future of work in schools where being challenged doesn’t mean being burnt out and overworked. Our MIS and school management tools are already making a difference in over 7,000 schools and trusts, giving time and power back to staff, turning data into clear, actionable insights, and supporting happier working days.
About the role
The People Team at Arbor sit at the heart of the business and are passionate about creating an environment and culture for people to do their best work. We are looking for a collaborative and engaging HR Advisor to join our People team and help us create a world class experience for our UK team at all stages of their employee journey. The remit and focus of the role is to work closely with, and support, our People Business Partners to deliver on our people strategy as well contributing to some of our larger strategic projects that enable us to continue our growth.
Core responsibilities
- Employee Relations: Support managers with investigations, disciplinaries, performance management, flexible working and sickness cases, escalating to the People Business Partners as appropriate.
- Policies: You’ll be the first port of call for any questions on policies – helping our people find the information they need and flagging any updates we might need to make.
- Data & Reporting: Owning our monthly people data packs, including metrics like eNPS, headcount, and turnover – and turning them into insights we can act on.
- Benefits Administration: From enrolments to queries, you’ll keep our benefits ticking over smoothly and make sure our offering stays fresh and competitive.
- Payroll: Working closely with our payroll provider to prepare monthly payroll changes and ensure a smooth run every time.
Requirements
We are seeking someone with a solid foundation in HR who’s confident managing the day-to-day while also comfortable getting into the detail of broader HR projects. A CIPD qualification at Level 3 or 5 (or equivalent experience) is preferred. Beyond that, we’d love to see:
- Prior experience in a generalist HR role – with good exposure to ER, policies, and payroll.
- Good knowledge of UK employment law.
- The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Great attention to detail, especially when it comes to documentation and data.
- A proactive, people-first mindset.
- Confidence using HRIS systems and Excel/Google Sheets for reporting.
- Clear communication skills.
- A caring but professional demeanour with the ability to earn people’s trust and handle sensitive situations.
- Strong organisation and prioritisation skills.
What we offer
The chance to work alongside a team of hard-working, passionate people in a role where you’ll see the impact of your work every day. We also offer:
- 32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays).
- Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary.
- Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health.
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa.
- Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows.
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave (20 weeks full pay) and paternity (6 weeks full pay) pay.
- Access to services such as Calm and Bippit (financial wellbeing coaching).
- All of our roles champion flexible working.
- Social committees that plan team, office and company wide events.
- Dog friendly offices!
We are committed to a fair and comfortable recruitment process, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview process, please reach out to a member of the team. Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation. Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds.
Senior People Advisor employer: Arbor Education
Contact Detail:
Arbor Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Arbor's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to creating a joyful work environment in schools will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your passion for their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Arbor on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage in your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples from your past HR experience that showcase your ability to handle employee relations, policy management, and data reporting. Tailoring your anecdotes to reflect the responsibilities mentioned in the job description will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on UK employment law and best practices in HR. Being knowledgeable about current trends and regulations will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to professional development during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Before applying, take some time to understand Arbor's mission and values. Highlight how your personal values align with their goal of creating happier working lives in schools.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in HR, particularly in employee relations, policies, and payroll. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education and how you can contribute to Arbor's mission. Mention your proactive mindset and provide examples of how you've successfully managed HR projects in the past.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your knowledge of UK employment law and your experience with HRIS systems and data reporting. Be clear about your communication skills and how they will help you support the People Business Partners effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education
✨Understand Arbor's Mission
Before the interview, take some time to research Arbor's mission and values. Understand how they aim to transform the educational environment and how your role as a Senior People Advisor fits into that vision. This will help you align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your HR Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your experience in HR, particularly in employee relations, policies, and payroll. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed these areas, demonstrating your understanding of UK employment law and your proactive approach.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you had to navigate complex HR issues, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Since clear communication is crucial for this role, prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated policies or handled employee queries in the past. Consider sharing instances where your communication skills helped resolve conflicts or improve team dynamics.
