Senior HR Officer

The post offers varied work across employee relations, attendance, recruitment, safer recruitment, organisational change and the employee lifecycle. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Human Resources and provide practical support to managers and HR colleagues across both academy campuses. To provide clear HR advice and manage assigned casework across Plume Academy.

The Senior HR Officer will advise managers on disciplinary, grievance, capability, conduct, attendance, probation, flexible working and other employee matters; support occupational health referrals and workplace adjustments; contribute to policy review and organisational change; and help maintain accurate, secure HR and safeguarding records.

• Manage assigned employee relations and attendance cases from referral to conclusion, preparing correspondence, meeting papers and accurate records.
• Advise managers on academy procedures, fair process, available options and when a matter should be referred to the Director of Human Resources.
• Coordinate occupational health referrals, return-to-work arrangements, workplace adjustments and relevant risk assessments.
• Support recruitment and safer recruitment, including complex pre-employment matters and checks relating to the Single Central Record.
• Prepare and check contracts, salary letters, contractual changes and payroll information.
• Support policy review, restructures, consultation, redundancy, TUPE activity and agreed Academy-wide HR projects.
• Maintain accurate HR records, carry out data checks and provide reports for the Director of Human Resources and senior leaders.
• Provide support to HR Officers and HR Administrators with procedures, correspondence and case administration when required.

Personal Qualities and Experience

Applicants should have recent experience of providing HR advice and managing employee relations cases, together with a working knowledge of UK employment law and fair HR procedure. Experience of preparing employment correspondence, handling occupational health and attendance matters, resolving payroll queries and working with confidential records is required.

Applicants must be able to manage competing priorities, write clearly, handle sensitive conversations calmly and recognise when a matter carries legal, safeguarding or employee-relations risk.

A degree or equivalent qualification with a minimum CIPD Level 3 qualification is required, although an exceptional candidate who is actively working towards CIPD Level 3 may be considered. Experience in education, safer recruitment, the Single Central Record, organisational change or TUPE would be an advantage.

Currently the third largest secondary school in Essex as a single academy trust and growing, we are focused on enhancing our future structure and have roles where we are seeking people who can bring fresh perspectives and new variety for the benefits of our students. At Plume Academy you will find the space to develop your talents, the freedom to contribute and the opportunity to grow as part of our welcoming and inclusive family. Employing over 250 staff, from teaching and learning to management and administration, you will find opportunities at every level, across both of our campuses. Our people share a determination to push boundaries, think differently and achieve more. As an employee, you'll play a crucial part in assisting with our continual development. In return, we will support, nurture and reward you with benefits from training and development to responsibility recognition. Plume had a successful Ofsted inspection in November 2023 and was judged a 'good' Academy. Ofsted acknowledged the high quality of teaching and excellent relationships in the Academy. Plume Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are therefore subject to satisfactory DBS and Immigration Checks, demonstration of ability, together with the receipt of references.

The role is offered at 0.6 to 0.8 FTE, equivalent to 22.2 to 29.6 hours per week, working 40 weeks per year (term time, INSET days and one additional week). The salary is Band 3, Points 17-25 on the Academy Support Staff Pay Scale. The starting salary is £22,591 per annum for 37 hours at Point 17, inclusive of holiday pay, and will be adjusted pro rata according to the agreed hours. Pay awards are subject to national negotiations, normally effective from 1 April each year.

We can offer you:

• A highly supportive and friendly working environment
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• 24/7 Free Employee Assistance Programme (offering individual support, information and advice including financial, legal and home-life and work-related issues)
• CPD opportunities and Internal Promotion
• Up to 25% Gym Membership
• Free staff car park
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Essex Working Well Wellbeing Service (health and wellbeing support and guidance)
• Access to Workplace Health Champions
• Access to Mental Health First Aiders

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