Full job description

*Lead Employee Relations across a large maintained schools network in a specialist HR Business Partner role focused on complex casework and statutory delivery.
*This is a unique opportunity to shape how HR services are delivered within education, with clear scope to grow into a strategic leadership position.


Client Details


This opportunity sits within a large metropolitan local authority committed to delivering essential public services and creating a meaningful impact across its communities. The organisation plays a central role in supporting a diverse schools network and is currently undergoing a period of transformation to modernise and strengthen its People function.
As part of this evolution, statutory HR services for maintained schools are being brought back in-house, creating a unique opportunity for a specialist HR professional to shape how Employee Relations is delivered across education.




Description


*Act as the lead HR Business Partner for Employee Relations across the maintained schools portfolio
*Provide expert ER advice to headteachers, school leadership teams, and internal stakeholders
*Lead on complex ER casework including disciplinaries (up to dismissal), TUPE, and escalated employee matters
*Fulfil statutory responsibilities, including attending dismissal hearings on behalf of the council
*Build strong relationships across schools, the education department, HR colleagues and trade unions
*Act as the primary point of contact for all education-related ER matters
*Support and contribute to Schools Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meetings
*Work closely with trade unions on consultations and policy matters
*Contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies across schools (e.g. disciplinaries, absence, pay)
*Support the transition of statutory HR services back in-house and identify opportunities to enhance service delivery
*Contribute to organisational design, workforce change and the future HR operating model within education
*Operate as a standalone specialist, with scope to shape and grow the service over time


Profile
A successful HR Business Partner should have:
*Strong Employee Relations expertise, with a passion for complex casework
*Proven experience handling disciplinaries, dismissals and TUPE processes
*Experience working within the education sector, with understanding of teachers’ terms and school governance
*Ability to operate in a standalone, specialist role with a high degree of autonomy
*Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility across diverse groups
*Knowledge of employment legislation and statutory HR requirements
*Experience working in unionised environments
*A relevant HR qualification (e.g. CIPD) or equivalent experience
Job Offer
*Competitive salary of £55,000 - £60,000
*31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 35 days with service
*Option to purchase additional annual leave
*Flexible and agile working, with a "Flexibility First" approach
*Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (with AVC options)
*Access to learning and development opportunities to support career progression
*Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
*Cycle to Work and Travel Pass schemes
*Salary sacrifice car lease scheme
*Family-friendly policies with enhanced leave
*Discounted gym memberships
*Employee volunteering scheme
*Medicash health plan
*A unique opportunity to take ownership of a specialist ER function within education
*The chance to shape and develop HR services across a large schools network
*Clear scope to grow into a more strategic HR leadership role over time


If you are ready to take on this exciting HR Business Partner role, apply today to make a real difference in the public sector!