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 occasional travel across the UK and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your HR career in a purpose-driven organisation.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting education settings.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € 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.
Senior HR Advisor with Travel employer: Polaris Community
Polaris is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the education sector. With generous benefits such as 30 to 35 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and a supportive work culture that encourages professional development, employees can thrive in a collaborative environment. The role of Senior HR Advisor offers the unique opportunity to engage with school leaders across the UK, fostering strong relationships and contributing to the positive outcomes for children and young people in our care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Advisor with Travel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for HR roles. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at Polaris or other schools.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of HR practices specific to education. Familiarise yourself with common challenges school leaders face and think about how you can provide practical solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps you top of mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that Senior HR Advisor role. We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us, and it gives you a better shot at standing out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Advisor with Travel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior HR Advisor role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and supporting educational settings, as this will show us you understand the unique challenges of the education sector.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about HR in education and how your proactive approach can benefit our schools. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or initiatives you've led in the past.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Strong communication is key in this role. In your application, give examples of how you've effectively advised and influenced school leaders or managed sensitive employee relations cases. This will help us see your confidence and capability in action.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our community at Polaris!
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 scenarios that might come up in schools, like handling grievances or absence management.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves building relationships with school leaders, be ready to demonstrate your communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced or advised managers in the past, especially in complex situations.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle specific HR challenges in a school environment, such as managing a disciplinary case or supporting a restructure. Practice articulating your thought process clearly.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
As an HR Advisor, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Be prepared to discuss how you stay organised and manage your time effectively, especially when dealing with various employee lifecycle activities and HR projects across different sites.
