At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, manage complex employee relations, and support schools in creating positive environments.
- Company: Join HR Connect, a top HR consultancy for schools in the South East.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by guiding leaders through complex people challenges.
- Qualifications: Experienced HR professional with strong employee relations and communication skills.
Location: Hybrid/Kings Hill, Kent
Salary/package: From £45,000 per annum (flexible depending on experience)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (flexible working options for right candidate)
Lead with confidence, partner with Purpose, make a difference.
At HR Connect, we believe great HR advice helps schools create positive working environments where staff can thrive and pupils can succeed. We're looking for an experienced HR professional to join our team as a Lead HR Consultant. This is an opportunity to take the lead on complex employee relations matters, organisational change projects and strategic people initiatives whilst building trusted partnerships with school leaders, governing bodies and academy trusts.
If you enjoy solving complex people challenges, influencing senior stakeholders and providing pragmatic, commercially aware advice, we'd love to hear from you.
Who we are:
HR Connect is one of the South East's leading HR advisory and consultancy providers, supporting schools, academies and public sector organisations to create positive workplaces where people can thrive. We partner with leaders to navigate complex people challenges, providing trusted advice across employee relations, organisational change, leadership development, policy, investigations and strategic workforce matters. Our approach combines technical expertise, practical solutions and a genuine commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.
HR Connect is part of Commercial Services Group (CSG), one of the UK's largest local authority-owned trading organisations. Through our family of businesses, we support thousands of education and public sector customers across the UK and beyond, helping organisations improve outcomes, deliver value and strengthen the communities they serve.
Why this role matters:
You'll work closely with headteachers, CEOs, senior leaders and governors, guiding them through some of their most challenging people issues. You'll combine technical expertise with sound judgement, helping clients navigate risk, achieve positive outcomes and make confident decisions. As a senior member of the consultancy team, you'll also play an important role in shaping our service offer, sharing expertise with colleagues and supporting the ongoing development of our people and services.
What you'll be doing:
- Managing complex employee relations casework including disciplinary, grievance, capability, safeguarding-related employment matters and organisational change.
- Leading investigations and providing support at formal hearings and appeals.
- Building strong, trusted relationships with school leaders, governors and trust executives.
- Advising on restructures, organisational change and workforce planning.
- Delivering HR training, workshops and leadership development.
- Supporting business development and identifying opportunities to enhance client support.
- Contributing to service improvement, innovation and the development of HR Connect's consultancy offer.
- Acting as a mentor and trusted source of expertise for colleagues across the team.
What we're looking for:
You'll be an experienced HR professional with a strong employee relations background and the ability to quickly build credibility with senior stakeholders. We're particularly interested in people who can demonstrate:
- Significant experience managing complex HR and employee relations casework.
- Strong knowledge of employment law and its practical application.
- Experience advising senior leaders, governors or executive teams.
- Excellent judgement and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to balance commercial awareness with exceptional customer service.
- A proactive mindset and a passion for helping organisations succeed through their people.
What you'll get in return:
- Salary of £45,000 per annum (flexible depending on experience).
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service.
- Birthday Day Off.
- One Concessionary Day off during the Christmas Period.
- Life assurance cover (4x salary).
- Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution.
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme.
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme.
- Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress.
- Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
Why CSG?
CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact. As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.
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 with Silver Accreditation, 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Schools HR Consultant in Kings Hill
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Commercial Services!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Commercial Services.
We think you need these skills to ace Schools HR Consultant in Kings Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Commercial Services. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Commercial Services and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Commercial Services. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Commercial Services's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Commercial Services
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Commercial Services.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Commercial Services will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Commercial Services and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
