HR Business Partner

The Orchard Learning Alliance is a new Academy Trust, that has already grown to four schools and is due to increase to ten schools by the end of 2025. As part of this growth we are looking to appoint an HR Business Partner to support our schools with a range of people matters and timely strategic advice. The role will be busy and varied, and join a passionate team who firmly believe in the unique culture of our schools and the Trust.

How to apply: please email our Recruitment Team on recruitment@orchardlearningalliance.com to request a full job description, person specification and application form.

Job details

Salary range: Grade 9 SCP 35-40 (£44,711-£49,764 FTE)

Working hours per week: 30 hours (though hours in the range of 25-37 would be possible for the right candidate).

Hours of work: Flexible to meet the needs of the business, to include the core working day of 9am to 3pm.

Location: Hybrid. 50% of time will be at the Central Office located in Woodley. Role will require travel to schools on occasion (currently Woodley, Early, Spencers Wood and Tilehurst) and some home working is also possible.

Contract type: Permanent, term time only plus 15 additional working days (role necessitates some work outside of term time, to be discussed with the successful candidate).

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Responsible for: n/a

Main purpose

The HR Business Partner will:

• Work with schools to implement and use the Trust HR policies, providing guidance on best practice and coaching managers to this level
• Support schools with all performance management, disciplinary, grievance issues, advising on use of policy and process and where necessary support in formal meetings
• Work with schools to proactively deal with absence concerns, reducing the impact of absences on schools
• Work with the Executive team to review, update or create (where required) Trust wide policies
• Proactively identify, develop and implement improvements to systems and procedures to enhance the HR service.
• Work with the Payroll team to resolve any pay related issues
• Liaise with unions as required
• Work with the Executive team to advise and guide on the managing change process, including consultation and related meetings
• Manage relationships with external organisations, for example DBS providers
• Understand the multiple variations of terms and conditions of staff, in addition those driven by TUPE and ensure compliance.
• Be responsible for processing statistical information from the school's database system/s for personnel matters, for reporting to the Executive team.
• Actively share knowledge with more junior team members, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement
• Keep up to date with legislation and guidance from the CIPD, central government (particularly the Burgundy book and Green book, ICO and other relevant sources and advise the Executive team of any material changes and any actions required)
• Be committed to a culture of continuous improvement, proactively generating ideas for improvement and always looking for “what’s next?"

Whilst the main responsibilities are outlined here, these are not exhaustive. The role is senior in nature and thus is responsible for ensuring all reasonable actions are taken to achieve the overall role objective above, especially as Trust needs change.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills
• Up to date knowledge of employment law and best practice HR
• Proven track record of handling complex employee relations and casework
• The ability to build effective relationships, utilising influencing skills to enable change
• Flexible, adaptable ad an agent to change
• Demonstrates sound judgement and is able to prioritise conflicting demands for a range of areas
• Excellent communication skills
• Innovative personality, keen for change and "what's next?"
• Willingness to travel within the Reading area mostly, and further afield rarely
• Enthusiastic, professional team leader and player, able to display humour and strong resolve
• Respects confidentiality, deals sensitively with people and resolves conflicts
• Supports and demonstrates commitment to the vision of the Trust
• Able to work with minimum supervision and as part of a team
• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure

Desirable criteria:

• Associate member of the CIPD (or working towards)
• Previous experience as an HR Business Partner
• Experience of working within the education sector (preferably within schools)
• An understanding of the current Educational environment