Nova Education Trust - Central Services Permanent Vacancy Reference: CB1DNFYL Closes Nov 16, 2026 at 09:00 AM
Per annum
Description
Role: People Business Partner
Location: Nova Education Trust Central Team
Salary: PO1 - PO2 (£41,177 - £49,817 per year)
Contract: Permanent, full time, all year round
Closing Date: Monday 16th November 2026 at 9am.
Nova Education Trust is a growing family of academies united by shared values, high aspirations and a commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people. Our mission is simple and unwavering — to create transformational schools. Our central team play a vital role in supporting schools across the Trust, providing the expertise, guidance and operational services that enable staff and pupils to thrive.
We are looking for a proactive People Business Partner to play a central role in nurturing this culture & help support, coach, and inspire our people across our family of schools. You will act as a trusted face of the People Team, partnering directly with Heads of School and School Business Managers across our Trust. You’ll spend time visiting our schools, listening to their unique needs, and providing clear, supportive, and solution-focused guidance.
In this role, you will:
Be a visible, accessible point of contact so staff and leaders feel comfortable having open, confidential discussions.
Help school managers grow their confidence in handling employee relations, attendance support, and team development with empathy and clarity.
Oversee wellbeing initiatives, coordinate Occupational Health referrals, and ensure colleagues are supported during key life moments, such as family-friendly leave or returning to work.
Provide trusted guidance on casework, organisational changes, safer recruitment compliance (KCSIE), and onboarding.
Work collaboratively with the Deputy Director of People to champion strategic initiatives, continuously improve HR practices, and ensure Nova remains an employer of choice.
Key Qualifications & Experience:
CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification (or equivalent practical experience) with Associate Membership (Assoc CIPD).
Strong, generalist HR background with experience in managing employee relations, casework, and working constructively alongside trade unions.
Excellent coaching and communication skills, you know how to listen active, advise clearly, and build trust across all levels.
A proactive, positive mindset with great attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
A deep commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.
We want every individual in our Trust to experience a true sense of inclusion where you feel respected, valued, safe, trusted, and above all, that you belong.
When you join us, you’ll be part of a close-knit, supportive People Team that truly values teamwork and looks out for one another. Please see our job pack for further details.
Applications close on Monday 16th November 2026 at 9am.
To explore all current vacancies across the Trust, please visit our careers page here .
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with DfE requirements.
If you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements for the recruitment process or the role, please contact us at sgray@novaeducationtrust.net we are more than happy to help.
All colleagues have access to ‘Nova Perks’, an employee benefits system bringing a range of fantastic benefits including salary sacrifice schemes, and health cash plan, and instant discounts. Please see the attached job pack for more details on what we have to offer.
Documents
Supporting documents for this role
- People Business Partner Job Pack_Oct26.pdf 1.6 MB Download
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People Business Partner in Nottingham employer: Nova Education Trust
At Nova Education Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises the well-being and professional development of our staff. As a Pastoral & Behaviour Lead at Toot Hill School, you will benefit from a collaborative culture that values your contributions and offers opportunities for growth within the education sector, all while making a meaningful impact on student success in the vibrant community of Nottinghamshire.
