We are seeking an exceptional Strategic HR Business Partner to join our central HR team. This is a rare opportunity to shape people strategy at scale, leading high impact initiatives that support over 5,000 colleagues and help drive better outcomes for more than 40,000 young people across our academies.
Working closely with senior leaders, you will lead complex organisation wide projects across areas such as workforce planning, organisational design, pay and reward, retention and culture change. You will operate as a strategic advisor, influencing decision making at the highest level while turning ambitious people strategies into tangible results.
If you are a forward thinking HR leader who thrives on driving transformation, building strong relationships and delivering meaningful change, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in a purpose led organisation dedicated to transforming lives through education.
If you are excited by the opportunity to shape the future of our workforce and make a difference at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading complex organisational change:
- Leading large-scale or complex people programmes across multiple academies such as pay and reward re-design, job evaluation, strategic workforce planning or cultural change initiatives, owning the strategy, risk management and stakeholder alignment.
- Designing the overall approach to consultation and change management, setting the framework that operational HRBPs then apply locally and ensuring consistency
- Identifying opportunities to modernise and improve HR ways of working across the Federation, working closely with the HR Director to shape the broader HR operating model and take plans through to delivery
Strategic workforce leadership
- Acting as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders on workforce planning, organisational design and people strategy across the Federation
- Leading the development of Federation-wide HR strategies and initiatives (e.g. retention strategy, sickness absence management, pay and reward framework) from concept through to implementation
- Representing HR at a senior level in cross-functional strategic discussions, including with Finance and Education teams, ensuring workforce implications are built into wider Federation planning
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Substantial experience operating as a senior HR Business Partner or HR Manager, ideally in a large, multi-site organisation.
- Demonstrable experience leading organisational change projects with measurable outcomes.
- Experience of Pay & Reward change programmes and organisational design
- Strategic thinker who can translate workforce data and trends into practical, actionable recommendations.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the credibility to challenge senior leaders constructively.
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
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Strategic HR Business Partner in Croydon employer: HARRIS FEDERATION
Harris Academy Rainham is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where staff are valued and encouraged to grow. With a strong focus on professional development, our team benefits from tailored training programmes, meaningful workload management, and opportunities for career progression within the Academy and the wider Harris Federation. Located in Havering, we are committed to educational excellence and inclusivity, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the lives of our students and community.
