At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex HR investigations and provide expert advice to education clients.
- Company: Join a growing HR consultancy dedicated to the education sector.
- Benefits: Earn up to £50,000 with 30 days holiday and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while enjoying flexible home-based work.
- Qualifications: Senior HR advisory experience and strong employment law knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Home-based with weekly meetings in Penrith, Cumbria. £45,000 - £50,000. Full time (flexible patterns considered).
Do you want to work in HR supporting the Education sector? Do you enjoy the complex end of HR casework, the investigations, the panels and the TUPE consultations? You would join a small friendly team of around 6 staff who are all hybrid/fairly remote and who meet regularly at the office in Penrith for team briefing, collaboration and support.
Foxgroves Recruitment is working exclusively with Just People (HR) Limited, a specialist HR and employment law consultancy working solely with the education sector. They support schools, academies and large trusts across Cumbria and the wider North West, giving them HR and legal advice. The team is a mix of experienced HR professionals, employment solicitors and business support colleagues, which means clients get advice that is practical and commercially sensible, not just technically correct.
This is a senior, hands-on advisory role. You'll take the lead on the most complex and sensitive work for a range of education clients, manage your own clients and casework with a lot of autonomy, and have real scope to shape how the service is delivered as the business grows.
The Role
- Complex casework and investigations: You'll be the investigating officer on the difficult ones. Lead complex and sensitive investigations in disciplinary, grievance and parent complaint cases, including matters involving safeguarding and SEND. Gather and analyse evidence objectively, and produce balanced, well-evidenced investigation reports. Present evidence at formal meetings as investigating officer.
- Panel, appeal and formal process support: You'll be the calm voice in the room when the stakes are high. Advise at disciplinary, grievance and complaint panels and appeal meetings. Guide governors and school leaders through contentious situations with professionalism and care.
- TUPE and change projects: Manage TUPE consultation processes linked to trust rebrokerage and other transfers. Run restructuring and reorganisation projects, advising school and trust leaders through consultation from start to finish.
- Advisory and client relationships: Provide expert HR and employment advice to your own allocated clients, through the advisory helpline and ongoing casework. Build trusted relationships with school and trust leaders and give advice that fits their circumstances. Work with clients to get ahead of problems rather than only picking them up once they've escalated. Work collaboratively with trade unions.
- Team contribution: Manage your own workload independently while staying well connected to the wider team. Support and guide less experienced colleagues on casework and process. Contribute to how the team develops its knowledge and ways of working, with scope to take on team leadership as the business grows.
What You'll Bring
- Substantial HR advisory experience at a senior level, with sound, up-to-date employment law knowledge.
- Real experience of leading complex investigations into disciplinary, grievance or complaint matters.
- Real experience of running TUPE consultations and restructuring or reorganisation processes.
- The confidence and credibility to advise or present at panel and appeal meetings.
- Excellent written skills, particularly for clear, balanced investigation reports.
- Sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to keep your head in sensitive and contentious situations.
- The self-discipline to work independently from home while staying connected to the team.
- A full UK driving licence and your own car, with the ability to get to clients and team meetings across Cumbria and the North West at short notice.
Desirable:
- Experience working within or advising the education sector.
- Experience working within a highly unionised environment.
- Experience advising at MAT or trust level, including strategic advice to leaders.
- The aptitude to move into a team leadership role.
- A relevant HR qualification such as CIPD level 5 or 7 welcomed, but the right experience in the sector and approach matter more.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Up to £50,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time or term-time patterns).
- 5% matched employer pension contribution.
- Private medical insurance.
- Business mileage reimbursed at 55p per mile.
- Your choice of a full-year or term-time plus three weeks working pattern.
- Genuinely home-based, with a weekly team day in Penrith.
- A supportive team, and real scope to shape a proactive, high-quality HR service for schools.
Just People (HR) Limited works exclusively with schools and trusts and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Foxgroves Recruitment follows safer recruitment practices in all education sector appointments. Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification.
Senior HR Advisor in Penrith employer: Foxgroves Recruitment
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Advisor in Penrith
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Advisor in Penrith
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 Foxgroves Recruitment. 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 Foxgroves Recruitment 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 Foxgroves Recruitment. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Foxgroves Recruitment'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 Foxgroves Recruitment
✨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 Foxgroves Recruitment.
✨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 Foxgroves Recruitment 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 Foxgroves Recruitment and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
