At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools with strategic HR leadership and innovative people solutions.
- Company: Join EPM, an award-winning team recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the education sector while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Significant HR experience, strong employee relations skills, and a proactive approach.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Are you an experienced HR professional looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact on the education sector?
EPM , we're looking for a
People Partner to join our award-winning team and support schools and trusts across Gloucestershire, Bristol and Oxfordshire.
Recognised as one of
The Sunday Times Best Places to Work , we're passionate about helping schools build exceptional workplaces where both staff and pupils can succeed.
As a trusted adviser to school leaders, you'll provide strategic HR leadership, guide organisations through complex people challenges, and contribute to the development of innovative people solutions that deliver real value.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded HR professional who thrives on building relationships, influencing at senior level, and leading positive organisational change.
The Role
As a People Partner, you'll work closely with school and trust leaders, providing strategic HR expertise and helping them deliver effective people strategies aligned to their organisational goals.
You'll be the trusted partner for senior leaders, supporting organisational transformation, managing complex employee relations matters, and coaching colleagues to deliver excellent customer outcomes.
Working within a high-performing People team, you'll champion best practice, influence decision-making, and identify opportunities to continuously improve our services and customer experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a role model and ambassador for strategic HR business partnering.
- Build trusted relationships with school and trust leaders, influencing people strategy and organisational development.
- Lead complex employee relations and organisational change programmes, including restructures and consultations.
- Develop and implement people policies, processes and service improvements.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and regulatory requirements, while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Lead and mentor HR Advisory colleagues, supporting their development and capability.
- Deliver a high-performing employee relations service, identifying risks and providing commercially focused solutions.
- Use people data and insights to support customer decision-making and service improvement.
- Research market trends and customer needs to help shape future service offerings.
About You
We're looking for a confident and credible HR leader who can operate effectively at senior level and build strong partnerships with customers and colleagues alike.
You'll bring
- Significant HR Business Partnering experience.
- Proven experience advising senior leaders on complex people matters.
- Strong employee relations expertise, including organisational change and restructuring.
- Experience coaching, mentoring and developing others.
- Excellent influencing, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- A commercial mindset and ability to identify opportunities that add value.
- A self-motivated, proactive approach with the ability to work autonomously.
- Experience within education, HR consultancy or payroll/HR service organisations would be advantageous.
- CIPD qualification (or equivalent experience) is desirable.
- Working Arrangements
- Home-based role with regular travel across Gloucestershire, Bristol and Oxfordshire.
- Travel to EPM offices in Huntingdon and Darlington as required.
- Client site visits are an essential part of the role.
- Full UK driving licence required.
- Occasional overnight stays may be necessary.
Why Join EPM?
- ⭐ Recognised as one of
- The Sunday Times Best Places to Work
- 📈 Excellent learning, development and career progression opportunities
- 💷 Competitive salary and generous pension scheme
- 🌴 26 days' annual leave, increasing to
- 33 days with service , plus
- 8 bank holidays
- 🚗 Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- 🚲 Cycle to Work Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- 💻 Technology Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- 🩺 Bupa Cash Plan
- ❤️ Life Assurance
- 🏫 Paid leave for Governor duties
- 🎉 Colleague events and wellbeing initiatives
- 🤝 Flexible and inclusive working environment
At EPM, we're committed to developing our people and creating opportunities for career growth.
Many of our colleagues progress internally, supported by tailored learning and development programmes that help them achieve their full potential.
People Partner - Bristol / Gloucestershire / Oxfordshire employer: EPM
As a part-time Customer Service Administrator at our award-winning education services business, you will be joining a supportive and collaborative team dedicated to providing exceptional service to over 2,500 schools nationwide. We pride ourselves on our strong work culture that values employee development and long-lasting relationships, offering opportunities for growth and professional advancement in a technology-enabled environment. With a commitment to clarity and consistency, we ensure that our employees thrive while making a meaningful impact in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner - Bristol / Gloucestershire / Oxfordshire
✨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 EPM!
✨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 EPM.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner - Bristol / Gloucestershire / Oxfordshire
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 EPM. 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 EPM 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 EPM. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to EPM'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 EPM
✨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 EPM.
✨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 EPM 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 EPM and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
