HR Consultant - Employee Relations Focus in West Malling

Salary: Up to £40,000 per annum (full-time equivalent, pro rata for part-time, term time only and dependent on experience)

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: We welcome full‑time, term time only and part‑time applications, and we’re very open to conversations about flexible working patterns.

Do you enjoy getting stuck into employee relations work? Building trusted relationships, and helping leaders navigate tricky situations with confidence? In this role, you’ll be a trusted adviser to headteachers, senior leaders and governors guiding them through sensitive and sometimes complex situations with professionalism, empathy and clarity. This is a hands-on, relationship-based HR role, ideal for someone who enjoys ER casework, problem solving and working closely with leaders, rather than internal policy or process management.

Who we are: HR Connect is part of Commercial Services Group (CSG), one of the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading organisations, operating 33 businesses across education, energy, IT, procurement, HR and more. Our mission is simple. We support the delivery of better public services to help people live, learn and thrive. This purpose underpins everything we do. A significant proportion of our profits is reinvested into frontline public services, enabling us to combine commercial performance with meaningful social value.

Why this role matters: A true ER-focused role, where every day is different and you will be pivotal in supporting schools to manage employee relations matters confidently and fairly working to achieve positive outcomes for leaders, staff and pupils.

What you’ll be doing:

• Building strong, trusted relationships with school leaders and governors
• Supporting leaders through complex or sensitive situations with balanced, confident advice
• Providing practical, clear advice across the full range of employee relations matters, including absence management, capability, conduct, restructures and grievances
• Helping schools interpret and apply employment policies fairly, consistently and pragmatically
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across HR Connect, sharing learning, expertise and best practice
• Getting involved in service development, projects and continuous improvement initiatives
• Opportunities to specialise, if you have a particular interest (for example absence management, investigations, capability or restructures)
• Professional growth, this is a role that can grow and evolve around your strengths and interests over time

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in an HR advisory or consultancy role with a strong focus on employee relations
• Strong practical experience managing ER casework end to end
• Good understanding and working knowledge of employment legislation, underpinned by the ability to confidently apply this to support risk based HR advice
• The ability to provide balanced, clear advice in challenging or sensitive situations
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach
• Experience of working with schools, academies or the wider public sector is helpful, but not essential.
• A CIPD qualification or equivalent experience is welcome, but strong, practical ER experience is what really matters to us.
• You don’t need to tick every box, we’re much more interested in the right mindset and approach.

What you’ll get in return:

• Salary of up to £40,000 per annum (full-time equivalent, pro rata for term time only or part-time)
• 25 days annual leave + an extra Birthday Day Off
• One concessionary day during the Christmas period
• Pension scheme with employer contribution
• Life assurance cover
• Flexible or hybrid working

Inclusion & Accessibility: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. As a member of Inclusive Employers and a Working Families Employer, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.