HR Business Partner (Primary)

We are looking for an HR Business Partner to support primary academies across the Federation.

You will help to drive Federation growth through the HR strategy working with the business in the execution and delivery of business and HR projects whilst providing comprehensive HR support for the management team including resourcing, employee relations, learning and development.

Your role will involve frequent site visits to primary academies across London and the Home Counties. This is an operational role that will involve a high volume of case work at any point.

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

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing professional and customer-focussed HR leadership, advice and support to the Primary Director and Assistant Directors of Primary Education
• Influencing and supporting the strategic direction of primary academies by providing and analysing workforce information and developing HR initiatives with the Director of Primary/Assistant Directors of Primary to respond to needs
• Coaching, supporting and mentoring senior leaders on people management practices, issues and priorities
• Providing expert advice to managers in complex employee relations cases
• With the Head of Employee Relations, managing employment tribunal cases, including liaising with ACAS on early conciliation, liaising with legal representatives regarding tribunal claims and attending tribunals if required
• With the Head of Employee Relations, negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements
• Working in partnership with academy leadership teams in providing expert guidance at all stages of organisational change processes

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:

• An ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and to use influencing, persuading and negotiating skills
• The ability to build strong relationships quickly and gravitas to liaise capably and confidently to coach and support a wide range of senior stakeholders
• Highly developed empathetic and re-assuring skills
• Excellent written communication
• Strong leadership skills
• Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Good knowledge of Employment Law and HR practice
• A problem solving attitude and sound decision making skills
• Sound analytical skills to support the design of improvement plans
• The ability to manipulate and present qualitative and quantitative data in a meaningful and persuasive way
• Experience of managing HR initiatives and projects
• Excellent time management, planning and prioritising skills
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment

For a full 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.