About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, organised, and influential HR Partner to work across our Trust in the West Hub. Through proactive, solution-focused HR partnership, the postholder will play a key role in strengthening staff retention, workforce planning, and supporting leaders to deliver people plans that underpin school improvement. The HR Partner will lead a portfolio of complex employee relations casework from triage through to resolution, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and attendance matters, as well as sensitive or high‑risk cases where required. Substantial HR experience, including in education or similar complex organisations, is essential to ensure the successful candidate can effectively deliver expert procedural advice informed by their strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice. As the primary HR contact for designated academies, the HR Partner will maintain a visible and proactive presence, building strong and trusted relationships with leadership colleagues. By developing a deep understanding of academy context and emerging challenges, the postholder will offer tailored advice informed by workforce needs and risk, contributing to leadership and planning meetings and providing insight on performance, staffing structures and culture. Close collaboration with HR Operations, Payroll, and Finance colleagues will ensure seamless delivery of people processes across the Trust. The HR Partner will also build and maintain constructive working relationships with trade unions. Using workforce data and insight to identify trends and risks, the postholder will help shape interventions and lead or contribute to Trust‑wide projects such as policy development, employee benefits, workforce initiatives, engagement actions, leadership development and equality, diversity, and inclusion. Building leaders' confidence and consistency through coaching, workshops and targeted development will be central to the role, promoting early intervention and restorative approaches that strengthen culture and reduce escalation.
About You
* Approachable and emotionally intelligent, building trust quickly with leaders and colleagues.
* Calm, resilient and composed under pressure, particularly in sensitive or high‑stakes situations.
* Analytical, methodical, and proactive, with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
* Influential and confident, able to provide constructive challenge with tact and professionalism.
* Pragmatic and solutions‑focused, balancing empathy with consistency and sound judgement.
* Values‑led and fair, demonstrating integrity, impartiality, and discretion at all times.
* Collaborative and relationship‑focused, working effectively across teams and academies.
* Committed to motivating others and developing leadership confidence and capability.
* Positive and inspiring, able to champion high standards and contribute to a culture of belonging.
Benefits
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* 24/7 GP access
* Cash Healthcare plan
* Staff Rewards Gateway
* Smart Tech
Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.
Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
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