At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert HR advice and support to schools, focusing on absence management and employee relations.
- Company: Join a growing HR consultancy dedicated to supporting education providers in your local area.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time working, hybrid flexibility, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth and travel support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the education sector while enjoying a balanced work-life schedule.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified or equivalent experience with strong HR casework skills.
This role is full time term time only. Hybrid working – ideally living in Coventry/Warwickshire area to manage local commutes to schools.
We are looking for the 5th member of our niche HR consultancy. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, expert HR advisory support to schools and education providers across Coventry, Warwickshire, Solihull and Birmingham. As a small, dedicated team, we offer a supportive environment where your expertise will genuinely make a difference to school leaders.
While you will be expected to cover all aspects of HR casework, your initial focus will be helping our client schools confidently manage and proactively reduce sickness absence. We are looking for a confident, self-motivated, and organised HR Generalist who can work independently and manage their own workload.
The ideal HR Advisor will be:
- CIPD qualified (or equivalent experience) with a proven track record in HR casework across either the public or private sector.
- Union experience: Confidence in working and consulting alongside trade unions.
- Meticulous standards: The ability to work accurately with excellent attention to detail, while maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Flexibility: A collaborative mindset, ready to adapt to the fast-moving needs of our client schools.
- Locally based to travel to the schools as required.
The HR Advisor will be responsible for:
- Expert casework guidance: Providing professional, timely, and solution-focused advice on the full spectrum of ER matters, including absence management, discipline, grievance, capability, restructuring, and redundancy.
- On-the-ground support: Guiding clients through complex investigations, formal hearings, and appeals, actively attending meetings to provide reassuring, expert presence.
- Education sector specialism: Advising on crucial safeguarding-related employment issues and collaborating externally with partners like the LADO, legal advisors, and local authority representatives.
- Absence and wellbeing management: Leading on absence management strategies, managing occupational health referrals, and conducting health-related reviews.
- Union and partner relations: Consulting and engaging constructively with trade unions and professional associations on behalf of client schools where appropriate.
- Compliance and best practice: Interpreting employment law, conditions of service, and policies to ensure our clients always maintain legal compliance and best practice.
You will be required to drive to attend meetings at various schools across Coventry, Warwickshire, Solihull and Birmingham and to undertake an Enhanced DBS.
What you will receive in return:
- Work-Life balance: Term-time-only working (38 weeks), ideal for balancing external commitments.
- Working hours: While this role is advertised as full-time (37.5 hours per week), we are highly open to flexibility regarding the total number of hours or days for the right candidate. Our main priority is ensuring we have consistent, reliable coverage across the working week.
- Hybrid flexibility: The autonomy to split your time between working from home and visiting schools.
- Salary: Up to £32k FTE (Pro-rata up to £27k for Term Time Only) - depending upon experience.
- Professional development: Educatum HR will fully cover the cost of your annual CIPD membership fees.
- Travel support: Car mileage paid for all school visits.
If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience and meet the criteria above please apply below.
HR Advisor in Coventry employer: Educatum HR Ltd
Join a dedicated and growing HR consultancy that values your expertise and offers a supportive work environment. With a focus on work-life balance through term-time-only hours and hybrid working options, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enjoying professional development support and travel reimbursements for school visits across Coventry and Warwickshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in education. They might know about openings or can give you a heads-up on what schools are looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the specific schools and their HR needs. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their challenges, especially around absence management and union relations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your casework scenarios! Be ready to discuss real-life examples of how you've handled HR issues, particularly in the education sector. This will showcase your expertise and confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your CIPD qualifications and any relevant experience in HR casework, especially in the education sector. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with schools and how you can help manage sickness absence effectively. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Union Experience:If you've got experience working with trade unions, make sure to mention it! We value confidence in consulting alongside unions, so share any relevant examples that demonstrate your ability to engage constructively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Educatum HR Ltd
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around casework and absence management. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Show Your Union Savvy
Since union experience is key for this role, prepare to talk about your past interactions with trade unions. Think of scenarios where you successfully navigated union discussions or resolved conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
This role requires meticulous standards, so be prepared to showcase how you maintain accuracy and confidentiality in your work. Bring examples of how your attention to detail has positively impacted your previous roles.
✨Flexibility is Key
The education sector can be fast-paced, so highlight your adaptability. Share instances where you've successfully adjusted to changing circumstances or client needs, showing that you're a team player who can thrive in a dynamic environment.
