Human Resources Business Partner in Workington

Your Role

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Lakes College is a technical vocational Further Education College delivering education and training to full-time and part-time learners and apprentices to degree level. We have a vibrant campus in West Cumbria with state of the art vocational workshops and resources, including the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub.

We are a people business and our mission applies as equally to our staff team as to our learners and employers'. We are a Good college and have ambition to be Outstanding by together developing our culture, standards and expectations. We encourage innovation, collaboration and reflection to lead to new ideas and methods. We gather, evaluate and use data to drive operational improvement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This pivotal role supports the delivery of an effective, efficient and forward-thinking HR service across the College. Working within a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will partner with managers and colleagues to provide expert HR advice, drive best practice and support the College in achieving its strategic objectives.

You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking HR team where your ideas, experience and professional judgement will be valued. You’ll play a key role in shaping a positive staff culture and supporting the College’s mission to foster an inclusive, safe and inspiring workplace.

As our HR Business Partner, you will provide expert guidance on a wide range of HR matters, including employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, policy, compliance, data reporting, staff development and organisational change. You will thrive in a busy environment, balancing multiple priorities while delivering a high-quality service and building strong relationships across the College.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be at the heart of our people strategy, including: Provide expert HR advice and guidance to managers and staff on a wide range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance management, attendance management and organisational change. Provide day‑to‑day coordination of the Human Resources team, ensuring workloads are effectively prioritised, service standards are maintained, and HR activities are delivered efficiently and consistently across the College. Build effective working relationships with managers across the College, acting as a trusted partner to support people‑related decision‑making and promote best practice. Support workforce planning activities, identifying current and future staffing needs to enable the College to achieve its strategic objectives. Support recruitment and selection activities, ensuring the timely attraction, appointment and onboarding of high‑quality talent. Manage HR administration processes including contracts of employment, contractual changes, payroll amendments, DBS checks and employee records, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Maintain and analyse workforce data, producing management information and reports to support planning, decision‑making and continuous improvement. Collaborate with managers and leaders to identify training and development needs and support the planning and delivery of staff development programmes, including cross‑College Staff INSET days. Contribute to the development, review and implementation of HR policies, procedures and initiatives that support organisational effectiveness and employee engagement. Lead and support HR projects, change programmes and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the employee experience and service delivery. Champion staff wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, helping to create a positive workplace culture where all colleagues can thrive. Ensure compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding requirements, College policies and sector best practice. Provide workforce analysis and statistical information to support managers in understanding trends relating to recruitment, retention, turnover, absence, equality, workforce demographics and succession planning. Support organisational change processes including restructures, consultations and service reviews, ensuring changes are managed fairly, consistently and in accordance with College procedures. Work closely with the wider HR team to deliver a responsive, professional and customer‑focused HR service within a fast‑paced environment.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• CIPD Level 3 qualified (or equivalent), with experience in a busy HR environment.
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance management matters, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, College procedures and best practice.
• CIPD Level 5 or above is desirable.

If you’re driven, people‑focused, and excited about contributing to a supportive and progressive environment, we’d love to hear from you.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU!

• Generous annual leave - 29 days plus 8 days bank holiday plus 2 discretionary days (rising to 33 days after 5 years’ service)
• Automatic entry into the Local Government pension Scheme.
• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching.
• Free onsite parking.
• Subsidised onsite restaurant.
• A cycle scheme tech scheme and discounted gym membership.
• Fantastic facilities to resource our ability to teach our students.

Application Requirements

To ensure compliance with safeguarding guidelines, all applicants must complete the application form in full. This includes providing: A full employment history from the time you left full‑time education, with details of any gaps in employment explained. Information on all relevant education and qualifications. Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered. Your co‑operation helps us maintain the highest standards of safety and care for children and young people.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 3 (or equivalent qualification) essential
• 5 GCSE's (including Maths & English or equivalent) essential
• CIPD Level 5 or relevant degree desirable

Experience

• Proven experience as a HR advisor in a busy HR environment essential
• Sound understanding of employee relations and employment legislation essential
• Demonstrable experience of working in s HR environment providing advice and support to managers on a wide range of employment issues. essential
• Excellent working knowledge of HR and employee relations functions e.g. recruitment and selection, disciplinary and grievance, sickness/absence management induction, performance and management of HR information. essential
• Up to date knowledge of employment law. essential
• Excellent customer service skills essential
• Experience with HR administration including payroll processes essential
• Experience updating policies and procedures
• Previous HR experience within education

Personal Attributes

• Committed essential
• Dedicated essential
• Focused essential
• Demonstrates ability to work under pressure, prioritise and commit to strict deadlines whilst maintaining the quality of output essential

Personal Qualities

• Work collaboratively and for the good of all essential

Relevant Skills

• Act as a team player essential

#J-18808-Ljbffr