At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools by providing expert HR advice and managing complex employee relations cases.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Trust dedicated to the wellbeing and education of young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values inclusion, respect, and high standards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on school improvement and strengthen staff retention in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Substantial HR experience, particularly in education or complex organisations, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 € per year.
Contract Details: Band J Points 32 to 35 (£42,839 to £46,142 per annum)
About the Role
We are seeking to appoint an experienced, organised, and influential HR Partner to work across our Trust in the West Hub. Through proactive, solution-focused HR partnership, the postholder will play a key role in strengthening staff retention, workforce planning, and supporting leaders to deliver people plans that underpin school improvement.
The HR Partner will lead a portfolio of complex employee relations casework from triage through to resolution, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and attendance matters, as well as sensitive or high-risk cases where required. Substantial HR experience, including in education or similar complex organisations, is essential to ensure the successful candidate can effectively deliver expert procedural advice informed by their strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
As the primary HR contact for designated academies, the HR Partner will maintain a visible and proactive presence, building strong and trusted relationships with leadership colleagues. By developing a deep understanding of academy context and emerging challenges, the postholder will offer tailored advice informed by workforce needs and risk, contributing to leadership and planning meetings and providing insight on performance, staffing structures and culture.
Close collaboration with HR Operations, Payroll, and Finance colleagues will ensure seamless delivery of people processes across the Trust. The HR Partner will also build and maintain constructive working relationships with trade unions. Using workforce data and insight to identify trends and risks, the postholder will help shape interventions and lead or contribute to Trust-wide projects such as policy development, employee benefits, workforce initiatives, engagement actions, leadership development and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Building leaders’ confidence and consistency through coaching, workshops and targeted development will be central to the role, promoting early intervention and restorative approaches that strengthen culture and reduce escalation.
About You
- Approachable and emotionally intelligent, building trust quickly with leaders and colleagues.
- Calm, resilient and composed under pressure, particularly in sensitive or high-stakes situations.
- Analytical, methodical, and proactive, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Influential and confident, able to provide constructive challenge with tact and professionalism.
- Pragmatic and solutions-focused, balancing empathy with consistency and sound judgement.
- Values-led and fair, demonstrating integrity, impartiality, and discretion at all times.
- Collaborative and relationship-focused, working effectively across teams and academies.
- Committed to motivating others and developing leadership confidence and capability.
- Positive and inspiring, able to champion high standards and contribute to a culture of belonging.
About Place Partnership
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. Both organisations shared a clear ambition – to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high-quality education.
We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth.
For full details, please see our recruitment pack. Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check. Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.
Cycle to Work Scheme, 24/7 GP access, Cash Healthcare plan, Staff Rewards Gateway, Smart Tech.
HR Partner in Rotherham employer: Maltbylearningtrust
Place Partnership is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits including a Cycle to Work Scheme and 24/7 GP access. With a strong commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and respect, the organisation empowers HR Partners to make a meaningful impact on school improvement while building trusted relationships across academies in South and West Yorkshire. Join us in shaping the future of education and making a difference in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Partner in Rotherham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of the Trust on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the culture and expectations, plus it shows our genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common HR scenarios. Think about how we would handle complex employee relations cases, as this will likely come up. Practising our responses can help us feel more confident and articulate.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our emotional intelligence during interviews. Being approachable and calm under pressure is key for an HR Partner. Share examples of how we've built trust and resolved conflicts in the past to highlight our skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating our enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows that we’re proactive and genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Partner in Rotherham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the HR Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience in HR, especially in education or complex organisations, and show how you can contribute to our mission at Place Partnership.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your analytical and problem-solving skills shine through. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've tackled employee relations issues or contributed to workforce planning.
Be Authentic:Let your personality come through in your application. We value emotional intelligence and approachability, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for supporting staff and improving workplace culture.
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quicker!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maltbylearningtrust
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled, especially in complex environments like education. This will show that you can provide the expert advice they need.
✨Build Relationships
Since the role involves working closely with leaders and colleagues, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've built trust and collaborated effectively in previous roles.
✨Show Your Analytical Side
Be prepared to discuss how you've used workforce data to identify trends and risks in past positions. Highlight any projects where your analytical skills led to successful interventions or policy developments.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
The interviewers will likely want to see how you handle sensitive situations. Think of examples where you've remained composed and made sound decisions under pressure, especially in high-stakes scenarios.
