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- Tasks: Partner with school leaders to enhance performance and drive organisational effectiveness.
- Company: Join Maiden Erlegh Trust, dedicated to improving education for children and young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension scheme, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while growing your HR career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent HR experience; strong interpersonal and influencing skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and personal development across multiple schools.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is seeking an experienced and versatile People Business Partner to work closely with Headteachers and Leadership Teams across a portfolio of schools. This is a senior HR generalist role with a strong business-partnering focus, providing trusted, pragmatic advice and constructive challenge to drive colleague performance, organisational effectiveness and a strong One Trust culture. You will be an experienced HR professional with strong business-partnering capability and the confidence to work with senior leaders in a complex, fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Business partner Headteachers and School Leadership Teams on people strategy and workforce matters
- Coach and advise leaders on performance management and effective people leadership
- Provide expert guidance on employee relations cases, drawing on central HR expertise where appropriate
- Lead and support organisational design and restructuring activity
- Support cyclical HR processes including performance appraisal and pay awards
- Manage FTE and vacancies in partnership with Finance Business Partners
- Develop workforce, talent and succession plans at school level
- Support wellbeing, engagement and workload initiatives
- Feed school-level insights into the central People team and support Trust-wide initiatives
- Lead or contribute to HR projects and deliver training as required
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger, supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent level of HR experience
- Demonstrable experience of partnering with senior leadership teams
- Strong knowledge across employee relations, organisational design, resourcing, talent and reward
- Sound understanding of employment law and HR best practice
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
- The ability to work with ambiguity, manage competing priorities and drive change
- Experience within education or a unionised environment (desirable, not essential)
- You will also be comfortable travelling regularly between Trust schools and committed to your own professional development
Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with Children’s Barred List, and other relevant pre-employment checks.
Benefits
- Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers' Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Annual Leave: A generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service
- ME Day: One additional day’s leave each year to attend a personal event
- Professional Development: A comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute
- Hybrid Working: Flexible approach to working arrangements for eligible roles
- Perkbox: Access to discounts and wellbeing resources
- Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations for all staff and free eye tests for eligible colleagues
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential support and wellbeing resources
Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across the Trust benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.
HR generalist in Reading employer: Maiden Erlegh Trust
Contact Detail:
Maiden Erlegh Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR generalist in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for HR roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the Trust's values and culture. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of supporting children and young people. We want to see that passion!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job alerts! Regularly check our website for new opportunities. Sometimes the best roles are posted directly there before they hit the big job boards.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills in employee relations and organisational design can make a real difference in a fast-paced environment. Confidence is key when chatting with senior leaders!
We think you need these skills to ace HR generalist in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the HR Generalist role. Highlight your experience in business partnering and how it aligns with the needs of Headteachers and Leadership Teams.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in employee relations, organisational design, and performance management have made a positive impact in your previous roles. We want to see your expertise in action!
Answer the Personal Statement Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time to answer the personal statement questions clearly and concisely. This is your chance to show us your understanding of the role and your commitment to the Trust’s values and mission.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maiden Erlegh Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employee relations and organisational design. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced in the education sector, as this will help you speak confidently about how you can support the Trust's goals.
✨Showcase Your Business Partnering Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders in the past. Think about times when you provided pragmatic advice or challenged decisions constructively. This will demonstrate your ability to drive performance and effectiveness within a complex environment.
✨Engage with the Trust's Culture
Research Maiden Erlegh Trust’s values and culture. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to fostering a strong One Trust culture. Showing that you understand and align with their mission will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Think through potential HR challenges you might encounter in a school setting and how you would approach them, showcasing your strategic thinking and adaptability.
