Location Central Office - Home Based
United Learning is a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England. Central Office staff work closely with schools, offering a wealth of expertise to underpin schools' own knowledge. Our specialist departments, including HR, finance, technology, strategy and performance, estates, and marketing, work alongside dedicated school improvement teams. By joining us, you will provide ongoing support to schools, ultimately improving the outcomes of our pupils.
United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
Job details
We have an exciting new opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our high performing HR team. We are looking for an outstanding individual to provide a timely, professional and strategic HR service to 14 independent schools. The role also includes membership of the Independent Schools Team, contributing to the development and implementation of the wider HR agenda through leading specific projects and strategies for our independent schools.
This is a home-based role which will include regular travel during term time to schools and occasionally other locations which may involve overnight stays. We have independent schools in Kent, Wiltshire, Hull and Lancashire, but the majority are based in and around Surrey. You will sometimes be required to attend meetings at our offices in Peterborough and London. A high degree of flexibility and resilience is required, and a willingness to sometimes work or travel outside the normal working day. Travel expenses are payable from home.
About you
You must have excellent communication skills, the ability to influence at a senior level and the drive to work autonomously. The ability to build relationships and credibility with senior stakeholders and work at pace to provide pragmatic business solutions is key. You will work closely with HR colleagues and line managers in schools. You will also support the continual improvement of transactional HR through process improvements, training and sharing good practice. You will have experience of workforce planning and change management and will be able to work effectively as part of the team around the school.
The ideal candidate will be MCIPD qualified, with an excellent track record in generalist HR and Business Partner roles in addition to a deep understanding of employment law and HR best practice. Experience of the education sector is essential.
Rewards and Benefits:
* Contributory pension scheme.
* 26 days holiday
* Occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family.
* Competitive maternity, paternity, and adoption benefits.
* Group Life Insurance Scheme
* Westfield Health cash plan and extensive range of employee benefits for eligible staff
* Continuous Professional Development options that will be tailored to your needs.
* A supportive team across the country.
* We are open to requests for flexible working; and we encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.
Further Information
If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please apply by 5pm on the 22nd October 2025.
First Interviews will be via Microsoft teams on the 31st October and second interviews will be in London, in person on the 5th November.
If you are applying internally, please apply via your ESS account. You will be required to submit a personal statement with a summary of your experience that makes you suitable for this role. There is a character limit of 4000 characters (roughly one and a half to two sides of A4).
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