At a Glance
- Tasks: Support academy leaders with expert HR advice and manage complex employee relations cases.
- Company: Join the Harris Federation, a leading education charity transforming lives through education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive rewards, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture focused on improving children's education across London.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while developing your HR skills in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as an HR Business Partner with strong employee relations and coaching skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
We are looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to support academy leaders and deliver high quality people-focused advice across the Federation. This is a hands-on role where you will work closely with senior leaders, providing expert advice on employee relations, workforce planning and organisational change. You will lead complex casework, coach leaders on effective people management, and support initiatives that improve engagement, wellbeing and performance. The role involves regular visits to academies, building strong relationships and ensuring consistent, high-quality HR practice. You will also contribute to HR projects, policy development and leadership training.
If you are a proactive, solutions-focused HR professional with strong ER experience and a passion for education, we would love to hear from you.
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Significant experience operating at HR Business Partner or senior HR advisory level within a complex organisation, influencing senior stakeholders
- Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases, including change management and restructuring, with strong employment law knowledge
- The ability to coach, influence and challenge senior leaders with credibility, empathy and professionalism
The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 55 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.
In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Acting as a trusted HR partner to academy leaders, providing proactive, pragmatic advice on workforce planning, engagement, performance and wellbeing
- Providing expert advice and support to managers on complex employee relations cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, capability management and restructures, ensuring legal compliance and timely resolution
- Coaching and supporting senior leaders to strengthen people management capability and embed best practice, including informal dispute resolution
- Providing expert advice and support to leaders on organisational change, including restructures and TUPE transfers, supporting with managing consultation processes and trade union relationships
- Analysing workforce data and trends to inform HR initiatives such as retention, attendance improvement, and improving the employee experience
Commitment to safeguarding: The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
HR Business Partner in Croydon employer: Teaching vacancies
The Harris Federation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and employee wellbeing. With a strong commitment to educational excellence, we offer our HR Business Partners the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while benefiting from comprehensive training programmes, career progression opportunities, and a competitive rewards package, all within a vibrant community of academies across London and Essex.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of an HR Business Partner. Highlight your skills in employee relations and coaching senior leaders, as these are key to impressing potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our mission to create exceptional places of learning.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and workforce planning, and don’t forget to showcase any coaching or mentoring you've done with senior leaders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about education and how your proactive approach can benefit our academies. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past successes.
Showcase Your ER Expertise:Since this role involves managing complex employee relations cases, make sure to highlight your knowledge of employment law and any relevant casework you've handled. We want to see how you’ve navigated challenges in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Teaching vacancies
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and complex employee relations cases. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed these situations, as this will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Build Rapport with Leaders
Since the role involves working closely with senior leaders, practice how you'll establish a connection with them. Think about how you can demonstrate empathy and professionalism while also being assertive in your advice. A good relationship can make all the difference!
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare to talk about your coaching style and how you've helped leaders improve their people management capabilities. Have a few success stories ready that highlight your ability to influence and challenge effectively, as this is key for the HR Business Partner role.
✨Engage with the Mission
Familiarise yourself with the Harris Federation's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of providing exceptional education. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely invested in their cause.
