HR Business Partner

• 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!