Human Resources Advisor

Harris Federation; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A multi-academy trust in Croydon seeks a proactive HR Advisor to join its central HR team. You will provide expert guidance on HR policies and employee relations, supporting a group of academies in a dynamic environment. The ideal candidate should have a degree or equivalent experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of employment law. This role offers excellent development opportunities, a competitive salary, and a culture fostering collaboration and inclusion.

Benefits

Performance and loyalty bonus

Pension scheme (LGPS)

Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan

Professional development opportunities

26 days' annual leave

Qualifications

• Experience in providing HR advice on employee relations.
• Knowledge of current HR practices and employment law.
• Ability to handle confidential information discreetly.

Responsibilities

• Deliver generalist HR advisory service to academies.
• Support in employee relations processes like grievances.
• Assist with HR policy development and delivery.

Skills

Generalist HR advice

Knowledge of employment law

Excellent communication skills

Confidence in building relationships

Discretion and diplomacy

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Part qualification to CIPD Level 5

Job description

£35,000-£37,000 + Performance and Loyalty Bonus + Pension Scheme (LGPS) + Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan + Additional Harris Benefits

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a proactive and knowledgeable HR Advisor to join our central HR team. You'll support a group of academies, providing expert guidance on HR policies, employee relations and workforce initiatives, while contributing to projects that shape the future of education.

This is a dynamic generalist role requiring strong communication, analytical skills and a collaborative mindset. You'll be part of a pioneering multi-academy trust known for transforming schools and empowering communities. With access to outstanding CPD, a supportive team and a culture of excellence, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your HR career in a purpose-driven environment.

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:

• Delivery of a generalist HR advisory service to the Federation and our Academies, providing up to date and informed HR guidance and support on HR policies, processes and systems
• Providing professional advice and support to Federation and Academy leaders in all areas of HR practice and employee relations such as grievance, disciplinary, performance management and sickness absence management, escalating complex cases as appropriate to the Head of HR and HR Business Partners
• Supporting the HR Business Partner with organisation change programmes including redundancy, restructuring and TUPE transfers; preparing documents, supporting planning, due diligence completion etc.
• Participating in the development and delivery of HR policy skills workshops for line managers and academy HR
• Assisting with end-to-end employee lifecycle and payroll processes
• Preparing HR documents and create and maintain templates
• Producing management information reports
• Evaluating job descriptions and providing advice and guidance on salary bandings to ensure a consistent and fair approach
• Assisting with the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures

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

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience providing generalist HR advice on terms & conditions, application of policies and first line employee relations
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment law & current HR practice
• Qualifications to degree level, or equivalent experience
• At least part qualification to CIPD Level 5 or equivalent by experience with a willingness to study
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Confidence and ability to develop and maintain professional relationships at all levels
• Discretion and diplomacy, with the ability to adhere to confidentiality requirements

For a full job 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.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.

Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, t his will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.

When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.

A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.

OUR VISION & VALUES

We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that's why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.

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.

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.

Please remember to check your junk mail foldersfor our email communications. You will receive a confirmation email once you submit, or save the progress, of your application. Please check your junk/spam folder andadd us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received. This is important to ensure you are kept up to date on the status ofyour application and to avoid delays in the recruitment process.

Applying online

We strongly advise that you complete the personal information section first and then save the progress of your application. You can return at any time to update and complete the rest of theapplication. Please ensure you regularly save the progress of your application to avoid losing any data.

Once saved, you will receive an email with instruction on how to retrieve your application using a unique code.

To submit an application, you’ll need to have ready:

• Personal information about you
• Details of your education and employment history
• Details of any qualifications and training gained
• A CV and/or supporting statement to upload

Using your CV orLinkedIn profile to apply:

To reduce theapplication time, you will have the option to upload a CV or use your LinkedIn profile when applying for the job. The information in your CV or LinkedIn profile will auto populate the relevant sections of the online application, but please ensure you check this before submitting.

If you have applied to work with us before, you can reuse and update an existing application.

Need any help andsupport?

Visit ourApplying page for FAQs and support with completing your application.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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