At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee engagement and relations, making a real impact on workplace culture.
- Company: Join Oakdale, a values-driven organisation dedicated to changing lives through care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days' leave, flexible working, and comprehensive health support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement and meaningful contributions.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that prioritises well-being and professional growth.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience in HR and employee relations.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
A hybrid working option is available but it's important to us to have our team together on site for most of the week.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week although part time hours with a minimum of 30 hours per week across 4 days may be considered.
Make a Difference Every Day
At Oakdale, we believe in care that changes lives.
For over 25 years, we've been delivering trusted, evidence-based therapies and assessments for children, young people, and adults.
As a values-driven organisation, we work with the NHS, schools, local authorities, and private clients, always putting people first.
Now, we're looking for a People Partner to lead employee engagement and employee relations across the Group.
If you're passionate about the employee experience, wellbeing, and making a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute significantly to Oakdale’s employee engagement strategy, including engagement surveys, listening groups and action planning.
- Champion Oakdale’s values and culture, designing initiatives that strengthen colleague voice, recognition and wellbeing.
- Lead and manage employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management and dispute resolution, in line with the Acas Code of Practice and UK employment law.
- Provide expert advice, coaching and support to managers to help them handle ER matters fairly, confidently and consistently.
- Chair or advise on formal meetings and hearings as required, ensuring procedural fairness and appropriate documentation.
- Own the review, development and continuous improvement of HR policies and processes, ensuring they reflect best practice and current legislation.
- Contribute to the annual payroll budgeting process and annual pay review process.
- Ensure People function policies and processes meet CQC requirements, contributing to self-evaluation and inspection readiness.
- Line-manage a People Adviser, People Projects Coordinator and People Administrator, allocating work and supporting their development.
- Act as a trusted, credible partner to managers and senior leaders, providing pragmatic, commercially and legally sound HR advice.
About You
We are looking to recruit an experienced HR professional with a strong track record in employee relations and engagement, ideally gained within health, social care or another regulated sector, who is confident coaching and influencing managers through difficult conversations and passionate about continuously improving how people experience work.
Qualifications
CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above), or equivalent experience.
Experience
- Substantial experience in an HR Partner role, with a strong track record of leading complex employee relations casework.
- Sound, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and the Acas Code of Practice.
- Experience designing and delivering employee engagement initiatives that lead to measurable improvement.
- Experience owning HR policy development and ensuring compliance and best practice.
- Experience of contributing to payroll budgeting and calculating annual pay review options.
- Experience line-managing and mentoring HR professionals.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working in a health, social care or other CQC-regulated sector.
- Experience partnering through organisational change, restructure or TUPE.
Essential Knowledge & Skills
- Skilled in analysing data and using data to support business decision making.
- Confident coaching and influencing managers at all levels, including in difficult conversations.
- Strong working knowledge of employment law application in practice.
Desirable Knowledge & Skills
- Familiarity with Employment Hero or a similar cloud-based HRIS platform.
- Mobility & Flexibility
- Ability and willingness to travel between Oakdale centres as required by service needs.
- Desirable
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes
Why Join Oakdale?
At Oakdale, Your Well-being And Growth Matter As Much As The Clients You Support.
We Offer a Package Designed For Balance, Flexibility, And Long-term Career Satisfaction, Including:
- 33 days' annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing with service
- Flexible and agile working from day one
- Simply
- Health: 24/7 GP access, counselling, physiotherapy, and more
- Exclusive, heavily discounted rates for you and your family on private ADHD and autism neurodevelopmental assessments, through our own expert service.*
- Fully funded flu vaccines
- Employee Wellbeing Initiative with trained mental health champions
- Smart Pension & Rewards: plan for your future with discounts and cashback
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
- Cycle to Work & Technology Salary Sacrifice schemes
- Employee discount scheme
- Protected CPD days, annual away days, and high-quality training
- Professional registration fees covered (where applicable)
- Opportunities to influence service improvement and innovation
- Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and any additional equipment you need to do your best work
- Discounts apply to dependents living within the same household.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
People Partner in Harrogate employer: Oakdale Group
Oakdale is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a generous 33 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive health benefits. Located in the vibrant town of Harrogate, employees enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration, with ample opportunities to lead transformative projects that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner in Harrogate
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Oakdale Group!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Oakdale Group.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Oakdale Group. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Oakdale Group and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Oakdale Group. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Oakdale Group's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakdale Group
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Oakdale Group.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Oakdale Group will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Oakdale Group and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
