People Partner - People Services Team

The Mead Educational Trust

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Mead Educational Trust is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and forward-thinking People Partner to join its Central People Services Team. The role supports school leaders across allocated schools by providing professional, solution-focused HR advice and guidance, helping translate the Trust’s People Framework into everyday practice, and strengthening leaders’ confidence and capability in managing people fairly and effectively.

Working closely with Principals, senior leaders and managers, the People Partner will advise on a broad range of people matters, manage employee relations cases, support organisational change and contribute to Trust-wide initiatives and the continued development of a modern, responsive People Services function. The role is based at The Mead Centre in Leicester, with travel across Trust schools as required. It is permanent and term time only, for 37 hours per week over 39 weeks per year. Homeworking of up to 60% of the working week is available on a flexible basis in accordance with Trust arrangements. The start date is as soon as possible.

Requirements

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent, as specified in the Person Specification.
• Significant experience in a generalist HR role, including managing complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and its practical application in the workplace.
• Experience providing professional HR advice and guidance to senior leaders and managers.
• Ability to provide constructive professional challenge while maintaining positive and effective working relationships.
• Experience supporting organisational change, consultation and workforce restructuring.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and a varied caseload effectively.
• Proactive, flexible and solution-focused approach.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and improving people management practices.
• Share the Trust’s values, demonstrate kindness and professionalism, and be committed to helping its people and schools succeed.
• Appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and appropriate DBS checks.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in an education setting, particularly within a multi-academy trust.

Responsibilities

• Develop trusted working relationships with Principals, senior leaders and managers across allocated schools, providing expert HR advice, coaching and professional challenge.
• Advise and support on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, absence management and other complex employment issues.
• Manage and support employee relations cases, ensuring they progress fairly, consistently and within appropriate timescales.
• Support formal investigations, hearings and appeals, advising managers on employment law, policy, procedure and organisational risk.
• Advise on organisational change, including restructures, TUPE, consultation, redeployment and redundancy.
• Support proactive attendance management, employee wellbeing, reasonable adjustments and occupational health matters.
• Coach and develop managers to strengthen their confidence and capability in managing people matters.
• Support the consistent application of Trust policies, safer recruitment requirements, and relevant national and local employment terms and conditions.
• Work collaboratively with recognised trade unions and employee representatives to support constructive working relationships.
• Use workforce information, casework trends and professional insight to identify emerging issues, inform decisions and support continuous improvement.
• Contribute to reviewing and developing people policies, procedures, guidance and management training.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, use digital solutions and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens.
• Help deliver the Trust’s People Framework, including initiatives relating to wellbeing, inclusion, professional development, flexible working and organisational effectiveness.

Benefits

• Eligible for homeworking up to 60% of the working week, on a flexible basis in accordance with Trust arrangements.
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced colleagues and develop knowledge and skills.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of Trust services and support professional development, collaboration and career progression.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed