Working With Us

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 52 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now educate some 38,000 young people and closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission.
The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London.
Our central team comprises a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain an outstanding body of staff all integral to supporting central and academy finance, HR, Data, Estates management, Talent and many more.
Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:
* Delivery of a generalist HR advisory service to the Federation and Academies, providing up to date and informed HR guidance and support on HR policies, processes and systems.
* To provide professional advice and support to Federation and Academy leaders in all areas of employment relations such as grievance, disciplinary, and sickness absence management procedures, escalating complex cases as appropriate to the Head of HR and HR Business Partners.
* Support with organisation change programmes including redundancy, restructuring and TUPE transfers; preparing documents, supporting planning, due diligence completion etc.
* To participate in the development and delivery of HR policy skills workshops for line managers
* Assist with end-to-end employee lifecycle processes.
* Prepare HR documents and create and maintain templates.
* Produce Management Information reports.
* Evaluate Job Descriptions and provide advice and guidance on salary bandings to ensure a consistent and fair approach.
* Assist with the development and implementation of Human Resources policies and procedures.
* Work with the Head of HR and HR Business Partners to deliver HR calendar and review cycle activities and support HR initiatives including change management programmes, HR projects, case management etc.
* Undertake HR administrative tasks in support of the wider Team.
* Support the monthly Harris Federation payroll including payroll change processes.
* Assist with Employment Tribunal activities where required.
* Assist with visa, work permit and sponsorship queries, escalating where appropriate and liaising with the HR Advisor responsible for Sponsorship and Visas.
* Provide advice and guidance to Academy HR officers.
* Undertaking HR audit and reviewing of academy compliance with HR policy including sponsorship duties and obligations.
* To support the HR Business Partner with the implementation of specific workforce initiatives
What We are Looking For

The successful candidate will have:
* Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
* CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent.
* Experience of providing generalist HR advice on terms and conditions, application of HR policies and first line employee relations
* Good IT skills and knowledge including Microsoft Word and Excel and experience of producing reports and data analysis.
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
* Confidence and ability to develop and maintain professional relationships at all levels.
* Discretion and diplomacy – an ability to exercise discretion and adhere to confidentiality requirements.
* A collaborative approach, effectively working with others to achieve team success.
* Strong analytical ability.
* Strong problem-solving skills.
* Excellent time management and planning skills.
* Ability to balance conflicting demands.
* Attention to detail – able to proof-read and spot check data and anomalies.
* Ability to be proactive, use initiative, and take ownership for all aspects of the role.
* Adopting high standards of ethical conduct at all times, with a clear understanding of the impact on others.
* Ability to adapt to changing situations.
* Ability to research new techniques, methods and procedures.
* Passion for HR and employee experience.
* Eagerness to learn continuously and keep up to date.
Applying for this Position

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed 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 to senior leadership.
We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.
In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, 26 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) for non term-time only employees, and many other benefits.