At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools by providing expert HR advice and managing employee relations.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking Trust dedicated to the wellbeing of young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, rewards, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on creating a culture of belonging.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while developing your HR skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, especially in education, with strong knowledge of employment law.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
HR Partner Place Partnership Trust – Maltby Grammar Business Hub, Braithwell Road, Maltby, Rotherham, S66 8AA.
Contract: Permanent. Applications close: 5th June 2026. Contract type: Full Time. Hours: 37 hours per week. Start date: As soon as possible. Salary Band: J Points 32 to 25 (£42,839 to £46,142 per annum). Region: Rotherham. Job category/type: Education - Non-Teaching, Human Resources. Date posted: 20/05/2026. Job reference: REQ23062.
About the Role
We are seeking to appoint an experienced, organised, and influential HR Partner to work across our Trust in the West Hub. Through proactive, solution-focused HR partnership, the postholder will play a key role in strengthening staff retention, workforce planning, and supporting leaders to deliver people plans that underpin school improvement.
The HR Partner will lead a portfolio of complex employee relations casework from triage through to resolution, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and attendance matters, as well as sensitive or high-risk cases where required. Substantial HR experience, including in education or similar complex organisations, is essential to ensure the successful candidate can effectively deliver expert procedural advice informed by their strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
As the primary HR contact for designated academies, the HR Partner will maintain a visible and proactive presence, building strong and trusted relationships with leadership colleagues. By developing a deep understanding of academy context and emerging challenges, the postholder will offer tailored advice informed by workforce needs and risk, contributing to leadership and planning meetings and providing insight on performance, staffing structures and culture.
Close collaboration with HR Operations, Payroll, and Finance colleagues will ensure seamless delivery of people processes across the Trust. The HR Partner will also build and maintain constructive working relationships with trade unions. Using workforce data and insight to identify trends and risks, the postholder will help shape interventions and lead or contribute to Trust-wide projects such as policy development, employee benefits, workforce initiatives, engagement actions, leadership development and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Building leaders’ confidence and consistency through coaching, workshops and targeted development will be central to the role, promoting early intervention and restorative approaches that strengthen culture and reduce escalation.
About You
- Approachable and emotionally intelligent, building trust quickly with leaders and colleagues.
- Calm, resilient and composed under pressure, particularly in sensitive or high-stakes situations.
- Analytical, methodical, and proactive, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Influential and confident, able to provide constructive challenge with tact and professionalism.
- Pragmatic and solutions-focused, balancing empathy with consistency and sound judgement.
- Values-led and fair, demonstrating integrity, impartiality, and discretion at all times.
- Collaborative and relationship-focused, working effectively across teams and academies.
- Committed to motivating others and developing leadership confidence and capability.
- Positive and inspiring, able to champion high standards and contribute to a culture of belonging.
About Place Partnership
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. Both organisations shared a clear ambition – to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high-quality education.
We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth.
Benefits
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- 24/7 GP access
- Cash Healthcare plan
- Staff Rewards Gateway
- Smart Tech
Further Information
Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact mergerenquiries@accordmat.org. Closing Date: Friday 05 June 2026 at 9am. Interviews are expected to take place between: 9 June to 12 June 2026.
Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles. Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information. Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
Head Office Riverside House Main Street Rotherham S60 1AE
HR Partner in Rotherham employer: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Place Partnership Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits including 24/7 GP access and a Cycle to Work Scheme. With a strong commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, employees are encouraged to develop their leadership capabilities in a supportive environment that values collaboration and high standards. Located in Rotherham, this forward-thinking organisation is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on education and the community, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in HR.
Contact Details:
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Partner in Rotherham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field. Attend local events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that HR Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Trust and understand their values and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around employee relations and workforce planning.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your soft skills! As an HR Partner, emotional intelligence and relationship-building are key. During interviews, share examples of how you've built trust and collaborated with leaders in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the amazing work we do at Place Partnership.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Partner in Rotherham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in HR, especially in education or complex organisations. We want to see how your skills align with the role of HR Partner!
Showcase Your Soft Skills:As an HR Partner, being approachable and emotionally intelligent is key. Use your application to demonstrate these qualities through examples of how you've built trust and relationships in previous roles.
Be Detail-Oriented:Pay attention to the details in your application. We appreciate candidates who are methodical and accurate, so double-check for any typos or errors before hitting send!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage early applications as we may start interviewing sooner than the closing date. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employment law and best practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by educational institutions, as this will help you provide tailored advice during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an HR Partner, building relationships is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built trust and rapport with colleagues and leaders in previous roles. Highlight your emotional intelligence and ability to handle sensitive situations with tact.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Demonstrate your proactive approach by discussing past experiences where you identified trends or risks and implemented effective solutions. This will show that you can think critically and contribute positively to the Trust's goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about handling complex employee relations cases. Think through potential scenarios you might face in this role and how you would approach them. This will showcase your analytical skills and your ability to remain calm under pressure.
