People Advisor

About the role:

Job Purpose: We are looking for a proactive and experienced People Advisor to join our HR team. This role will involve supporting managers and employees across the college, guiding them through the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and selection to performance management and employee relations. You will actively manage HR/ER cases, provide coaching to managers, and ensure the consistent application of college policies in line with current employment legislation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide HR advice and guidance on a variety of employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinaries, and absence management.
• Maintain accurate HR/ER case records and ensure progress tracking within the HR team.
• Support organisational change initiatives, including restructures, TUPE transfers, and performance management processes.
• Drive college-wide recruitment initiatives and participate in recruitment activities, from candidate selection to onboarding.
• Contribute to employee engagement, wellbeing, and safety, utilizing resources such as the Occupational Health provider and Employee Assistance Program.
• Assist in developing HR policies and ensure compliance with HR best practices.

About You: The ideal candidate will be approachable, professional, and possess strong communication and organisational skills. You should have a good understanding of employment legislation, experience in an HR role, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience with HR software are essential, along with excellent interpersonal skills to engage effectively with colleagues and staff at all levels.

About The Company: London South East Colleges is a successful and innovative College operating with sites across Bromley, Bexley, Orpington, Greenwich and Lambeth. With nearly 14,000 students and 1,000 members of staff, the College is a major employer in the area and makes a significant impact on the lives and future prospects of its learners who travel from across London to study with us. The College is also the sponsor of London South East Academies Trust, a growing Multi-Academy which is rapidly developing a track record of academic and financial success. With a combined turnover of circa £65m and the ambitious growth plans of the group, there has never been a better time to join this exciting organisation.

Benefits: The benefits package includes annual leave of 27 days (excluding bank holidays) plus 3 efficiency closure days during Christmas, up to 2 additional College closure days, and leave for volunteering (pro rata for part time staff). There are excellent pension schemes, including employer contributions (Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme or Nest). Staff also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme, free onsite parking, salary sacrifice cycle to work/bike loan scheme and annual season ticket loan. You will have access to onsite gym at Bromley, discounts in in-house restaurants and hair and beauty treatments.

Accreditations: As employers, we recognise and embrace our legal and quality-assurance framework responsibilities, and use these frameworks, as well as other accreditations and schemes, to further develop our development and progress of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Our Accreditations include:

• Investors in People – meaning we are committed to the professional development of our staff members.
• Recognised nationally in 2021 by the TES, as Overall FE Provider of the Year, FE College of the Year, and winning the Contribution to the Local Community award.
• Disability Confident – Committed
• Stonewall Workplace Champions – Silver Award
• Investors in Ethnicity – Exemplary Employer and member of the Top 25 employers 2 years in a row
• Affiliate member of the Black Leadership Group

As the College supports a number of children and vulnerable adults, all staff are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Accordingly, all staff will be subject to an ‘Enhanced’ DBS (formerly CRB) check, along with a Children’s Barred List check if in regulated activity. Any offers of appointment may be withdrawn if these checks prove to be unsatisfactory to the College. Self-disclosure will be required as part of the recruitment process.

Safeguarding Statement: London South East Colleges is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.