HR Business Partner

We are looking for an HR Business Partner to support and drive Federation growth through the HR strategy.

Working with the business in the execution and delivery of business and HR projects, you will also provide comprehensive HR support for the management team including resourcing, employee relations, learning and development.

This role will require you to make frequent site visits to academies across London and the Home Counties. It 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 academies
• Influencing and supporting the strategic direction of academies by providing and analysing workforce information and developing HR initiatives 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
• Management of employment tribunal cases
• Negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements
• Providing expert guidance to academy leadership teams at all stages of the organisational change processes
• Advising and supporting academies with managing TUPE transfer projects
• Designing and delivering HR training sessions
• Designing and delivering innovative organisational development solutions
• Supporting progress towards becoming a model employer through proactive involvement in workforce projects and working groups
• Advising on the interpretation and application of HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of service
• Advising on changes in employment legislation and case law
• Contributing to the formulation and implementation of HR policies and procedures
• Advising on and undertaking job evaluations
• Contributing to the overall service and direction of the Human Resources function
• Line managing an HR advisor and actively supporting the development of other members of the HR team
• Ensuring Equality and Diversity issues are considered in all aspects of Human Resources and staff management

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:

• Experience in a HR Business Partner or senior HR advisor role within a large complex organisation
• Experience of developing and delivering strategic HR plans and initiatives
• Previous experience of managing complex Employee relations issues, change management and restructuring
• Experience of supervising staff
• Qualifications to masters level in HR Management or equivalent level of experience of working in an HR role
• A CIPD qualification at Associate level or above

Please download the Job Pack for a full person specification.

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.