Head of Employee Relations

We are looking for an outstanding Head of Employee Relations (ER) to promote positive employee-employer relationships in the Harris Federation.

WORKING WITH US

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the Why Work For Us page.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

You will manage the central HR/ER team and drive pace and rigour through their caseload management, as well as managing senior employee cases, employee concerns and advising management on employment-related issues.

You will also ensure that all employee relations activities comply with public sector rules, regulations, and policies, while fostering a fair and transparent working environment for all employees.

A full list of responsibilities can be found in the Job Pack.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would like to hear from you if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Employee Relations, or a related field
• A Master's degree or HR certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR)
• A CIPD qualification to at least level 5
• At least seven years' experience in human resources and employee relations, preferably in the public sector or government agencies
• Familiarity with public sector employment laws, regulations, and practices
• A strong understanding of employment laws, regulations, and unionised work environments
• A demonstrated ability to resolve workplace conflicts and disputes in a fair, balanced, and objective manner
• Experience in conducting workplace investigations with a high degree of thoroughness, impartiality, and professionalism
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with employees, unions, and management
• The ability to assess situations, interpret collective bargaining agreements, and provide solutions that align with both legal requirements and Federation objectives
• Strong organisational skills, ensuring accuracy in documentation, reporting, and case management
• The ability to handle sensitive information with discretion at all times
• The ability to mediate disputes and negotiate solutions that balance employee and Federation interests
• Experience working with union representatives to resolve grievances and manage employee relations

For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Harris has 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.

You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:

• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
• Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
• Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
• Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
• 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
• Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans

For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.