At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy across 12 schools, supporting leaders and enhancing workplace culture.
- Company: Lift Schools, dedicated to providing excellent education through strong team support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellbeing cash plan, pension scheme, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your HR career.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience, especially in complex employee relations and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 € per year.
Conrad Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2SD, United Kingdom
Salary: £60,000 + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: 37 (full-time)
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover for up to 12 months
Start date: As soon as possible
Hybrid working: typically three days on site, two days remote
Base location: Lift New Rickstones, Witham, Essex with regular travel across Essex schools
A role where your impact is felt every day. At Lift Schools, we believe every child deserves an excellent education. Behind every great school is a strong, supported team and that’s where you come in. We are looking for a senior HR business partner to provide maternity cover and lead people strategy across our East region. This is a high-impact role supporting 12 schools in Essex, working directly with principals and regional leaders to build positive, inclusive cultures where colleagues thrive and pupils succeed. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional, interim HR consultant, or senior HR generalist looking for a meaningful, values-driven role within a growing national trust.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead HR across the region provide strategic and operational HR leadership across 12 schools
- Lead, coach and develop a team of HR advisors and coordinators
- Work closely with the lead HR business partner and head of HR services to deliver a consistent, high-quality service
- Be the expert on complex people matters manage high-level employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability
- Lead on safeguarding and child protection-related investigations
- Offer clear, confident and balanced advice in sensitive situations
- Partner with leaders to drive improvement support organisational change, restructures and workforce planning
- Contribute to Ofsted readiness and follow-up activity
- Build trusted relationships with school and regional leaders
- Bring practical, solutions-focused thinking to complex challenges
About you:
You bring credibility, sound judgement and a calm, confident approach. You might come from education, local government or another large, complex organisation. What matters most is your ability to lead, influence and deliver. You will:
- Have strong experience in HR, including complex employee relations
- Be confident handling safeguarding-related cases
- Have experience working across multiple sites or services
- Build trust quickly with senior leaders
- Support and develop others within a team
- Stay organised and focused in a fast-paced environment
We also welcome applicants with transferable experience from large organisations or consultancy backgrounds who are ready to bring their expertise into education.
We offer you:
- Comprehensive training – Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
- Generous benefits – From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
- Lifestyle perks – Enjoy discounted gym memberships and travel deals.
Equal Opportunity and Diversity:
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered. We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest level of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Senior HR Business Partner in Essex employer: Lift New Rickstones
At Lift Schools, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our team members. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including a wellbeing cash plan and pension scheme, and a supportive work culture that promotes inclusivity and collaboration, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact in education. Located in Witham, Essex, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead HR strategy across multiple schools while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector or HR field. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet. Don’t be shy; people love to help!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Lift Schools and their values. Show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making a difference in education. Tailor your answers to reflect our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do mock interviews with you. This will help you articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role of Senior HR Business Partner. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in HR, especially with complex employee relations and working across multiple sites. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Lift Schools!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about education and how you can contribute to our values-driven culture. Be sure to mention any relevant experience that showcases your ability to lead and influence.
Showcase Your People Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to build trust and relationships with senior leaders. We’re looking for someone who can coach and develop others, so share examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us at Lift Schools!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lift New Rickstones
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of HR practices, especially around complex employee relations and safeguarding. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, as this will show your expertise and confidence during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and influencing senior leaders. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed change or resolved complex issues, as these stories will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a high-impact role.
✨Understand the Organisation's Values
Familiarise yourself with Lift Schools’ mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to building positive, inclusive cultures within the schools you’ll be supporting.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the challenges faced by the organisation. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
