At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools with HR advice, employee relations, and compliance in a dynamic education environment.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community dedicated to improving children's lives through education and care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30-35 days annual leave, company pension, life insurance, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for UK-wide travel and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your HR career in a purpose-led organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting education settings.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
HR Advisor - Full time, permanent
30 days' annual leave increasing to 35 days with length of service plus Bank Holidays.
Company pension scheme, life insurance x2, employee discount scheme, free on-site parking.
Due to continued growth across our education provision, Polaris is recruiting an experienced and proactive HR Advisor to support our schools and education settings. This is a key role within a growing HR function, providing day-to-day HR and employee relations support to school leaders and managers, ensuring consistent, pragmatic and compliant HR advice aligned with education sector expectations.
Based in one of our hubs in Milton Keynes or Bromsgrove with hybrid working, the role will involve regular engagement with schools and occasional UK-wide travel, including overnight stays where required. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys working closely with school leaders, understands the pace and complexity of education environments and wants to develop their career within a purpose-led organisation.
- Provide first-line HR and employee relations support to headteachers, school leadership teams and managers across Polaris schools and the wider community.
- Take the lead on employee relations cases, including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances and capability processes in consultation with the HR Business Partner.
- Advise and support managers on absence management, performance concerns and employee wellbeing matters.
- Manage employee lifecycle activities, including maternity and family leave, flexible working requests, occupational health referrals and reasonable adjustments.
- Support organisational change within schools, including restructures, TUPE-related activity and consultation processes.
- Assist with HR compliance and due diligence, ensuring personnel files and documentation meet safeguarding and regulatory standards.
- Support the review and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring they are appropriate for school environments.
- Manage HR projects within the schools' remit and contribute to continuous improvement across the HR service.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with school leaders, acting as a professional and approachable HR partner.
You will be an organised and confident HR professional who can balance compliance with a practical, people-centred approach. Proven HR and employee relations experience. Strong communication skills with the confidence to advise and influence school leaders. Confident using the Microsoft Office suite. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle. Experience supporting schools or education settings. Experience in a multi-site or regional HR role. Experience supporting complex or sensitive employee relations cases.
Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
HR Officer - Recruitment & Training employer: Polaris Community
Polaris is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the education sector. With a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional development, staff can thrive in their roles while contributing to the welfare of children and young people. Located in Milton Keynes, the hybrid working model and community-focused environment make it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to advance their careers in a purpose-led organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Officer - Recruitment & Training
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for an HR role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Polaris and understand their values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in supporting school leaders and managing employee relations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past HR successes, particularly in education settings. Whether it’s handling complex employee relations cases or implementing HR policies, make sure you highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our community and making a difference in children's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Officer - Recruitment & Training
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Officer role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills can directly benefit our schools!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working in education and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Polaris. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your experience in multi-site HR roles or supporting schools. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique challenges of the education sector, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Polaris Community
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employee relations and compliance in education settings. Familiarise yourself with common HR policies and procedures relevant to schools, as this will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves building strong relationships with school leaders, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex employee relations cases. Highlight your communication skills and your ability to influence and advise effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities in HR situations. Think about past experiences where you've managed absence, performance concerns, or employee wellbeing matters, and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
As an HR Officer, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Prepare to talk about how you stay organised and manage your time effectively, especially when dealing with HR projects or compliance documentation. This will reassure them that you can handle the pace and complexity of the role.
