People Partner - People Services Team in Leicester

An exciting opportunity to join our growing People Services Team.

Vacancy Details

• Role: People Partner
• Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only
• Hours: 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year
• Salary: SL10 – SL14 Support Staff Leadership (£49,892 - £53,588 per annum)
• Location: The Mead Centre, 343 Gipsy Lane, Leicester, LE4 9DD, with travel across Trust schools as required.
• Flexible Working: Eligible for homeworking up to 60% of the working week, on a flexible basis in accordance with Trust arrangements.
• Start Date: As soon as possible

About the Opportunity

We are looking to appoint an experienced, enthusiastic and forward-thinking People Partner to join our Central People Services Team at The Mead Educational Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished HR professional who is passionate about people, enjoys building positive working relationships and wants to make a meaningful difference to the experience of colleagues working across our schools.

As our Trust continues to grow and develop, our People Services Team plays an increasingly important role in supporting our school leaders, strengthening people management practices and creating a working environment where our colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

Working closely with Principals, senior leaders and managers, you will provide professional, solution-focused HR advice and guidance across a wide range of people matters, whilst helping to translate our People Framework into everyday practice.

We are looking for someone who can balance professional expertise with a supportive and pragmatic approach, building the confidence and capability of leaders to manage people effectively and make fair, consistent and informed decisions. This is much more than a traditional HR advisory role. You will have the opportunity to influence people practices, contribute to Trust-wide initiatives and support the continued development of a modern, innovative and responsive People Services function.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a People Partner, you will:

• Develop strong and trusted working relationships with Principals, senior leaders and managers across allocated schools, providing expert HR advice, coaching and professional challenge.
• Provide professional guidance and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, absence management and other complex employment issues.
• Manage and support employee relations cases, ensuring that matters are progressed fairly, consistently and within appropriate timescales.
• Support formal investigations, hearings and appeals, advising managers on employment law, policy, procedure and organisational risk.
• Provide advice and guidance on organisational change, including restructures, TUPE, consultation, redeployment and redundancy.
• Support school leaders in taking a proactive approach to attendance management, employee wellbeing, reasonable adjustments and occupational health matters.
• Coach and develop managers to strengthen their confidence and capability in managing people matters effectively.
• Support the consistent application of Trust policies, safer recruitment requirements and relevant national and local terms and conditions of employment.
• Work collaboratively with recognised trade unions and employee representatives to support constructive and effective working relationships.
• Use workforce information, casework trends and professional insight to identify emerging issues, inform decision-making and support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the review and development of people policies, procedures, guidance and management training.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, embrace digital solutions and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.
• Play an active role in delivering the Trust's People Framework, supporting initiatives relating to employee wellbeing, inclusion, professional development, flexible working and organisational effectiveness.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a confident, approachable and highly motivated HR professional who combines strong technical knowledge with excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to supporting others. The successful candidate will have:

• A CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent as specified in the Person Specification.
• Significant experience of working in a generalist HR role, including managing complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and its practical application within the workplace.
• Experience of providing professional HR advice and guidance to senior leaders and managers.
• The confidence to provide constructive professional challenge whilst maintaining positive and effective working relationships.
• Experience of supporting organisational change, consultation and workforce restructuring.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and a varied caseload effectively.
• A proactive, flexible and solution-focused approach.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and improving people management practices.

Experience of working within an education setting, particularly within a multi-academy trust, would be advantageous, although we also welcome applications from experienced HR professionals in other sectors who can demonstrate strong transferable skills.

Above all, we are looking for someone who shares our values, demonstrates kindness and professionalism, and is passionate about helping our people and schools succeed.

Why Join TMET?

At The Mead Educational Trust, our shared purpose is simple: "Together we make a positive difference." We recognise that our people are central to achieving this ambition, and our People Framework reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where colleagues feel inspired, supported, included and able to flourish.

Our People Framework is built around four key cornerstones:

• Inclusive Excellence – "Everyone belongs; everyone has opportunity." Creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where diversity is valued, barriers.
• Life Friendly – "Balanced flexibility, stronger outcomes." Supporting approaches to work that recognise the importance of wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Intelligent Work Design – "Smart work, more impact." Embracing technology, improving processes and reducing unnecessary administration.
• Flourishing People – "People aspire; people thrive." Supporting professional development, collaboration and opportunities for career progression.

As part of our Central People Services Team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced colleagues, develop your knowledge and skills, and play an important role in supporting the schools and employees across our Trust. We are particularly interested in individuals who are excited by the opportunity to help shape how our services develop, bringing fresh ideas, a positive approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

The Mead Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, in accordance with the requirements of the role and current safeguarding legislation and guidance. TMET is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment, valuing diversity and ensuring equality of opportunity for all applicants and employees.