HR Officer

We are looking for an experienced HR Officer to join the Federation Central HR function at our Head Office in East Croydon.  The successful candidate will provide an efficient and professional HR service as part of the Federation Central Team supporting Academies.  We are keen to hear from talented HR professionals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning and are committed to making a difference to the young people in our Academies.

About Us

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 51 Harris primary and secondary academies across London and Essex. The founder, Chairman and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We now educate some 38,000 young people and closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission. 

The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies in London. 

Our central team comprises of a dedicated, driven group of departments working centrally to provide support across the Federation and all of our academies. Across a multitude of key departments, we maintain an outstanding body of staff all integral to supporting central and academy finance, HR, Data, Estates management, Talent and many more.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Working from our East Croydon head office, you will work closely with central team departments, line managers and the wider HR team. This role will require the post holder to make visits to our primary and secondary academies in London.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide an efficient and professional HR service to the Federation and Academies.
• To work with the Head of HR and HR Business Partners to deliver HR calendar activities and support HR initiatives: change management programmes, HR projects, case management etc.
• Responsibility for SCR
• To provide administrative advice and templates to Academies to ensure best practice, adherence to legislation requirements and Harris Federation’s policies.
• To provide accurate and consistent advice and guidance to managers relating to employee relations issues: performance management and capability, absence management, disciplinary and grievance, changes to terms and conditions etc.
• To support the management of formal cases, including sickness reviews, disciplinaries, grievances, performance management and flexible working requests.
• To escalate complex cases as appropriate to the Head of HR or HR Business Partners.
• To assist with restructure programmes as required.
• To support TUPE processes as appropriate, including preparing correspondence, due diligence completion etc.
• To draft and issue Settlement Agreements as directed by the Head of HR or HR Business Partners, gain required signatures and distribute final agreements to relevant parties.
• To submit payment forms to payroll ensuring full authorisation is obtained and internal records are maintained.
• To create and maintain standard letter and reporting templates. In conjunction with the HR Business Partners, to review and update at least every six months or sooner if legislative changes require it.
• To evaluate Job Descriptions and provide advice and guidance on salary bandings to ensure a consistent and fair approach.
• To assist the Head of HR or HR Business Partners with any activities relating to Employment Tribunals: production of a timeline of events, liaising with the legal representatives and providing them with any necessary documentation to support the case, diary management of tribunal participants.
• To assist with visa, work permit and sponsorship queries, escalating where appropriate and updating the Sponsorship Management System where required.
• To complete the annual employee sponsorship review in conjunction with the HR Recruitment Administrator, and reporting any findings.
• To maintain and update visa and sponsorship files, electronic and hard copies.
• To manage and monitor the monthly Harris Federation payroll.
• To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level
• CIPD qualified (level 5) or working towards
• Previous HR experience
• A keen interest in HR and employment law

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact careers@harrisfederation.org.uk to arrange a conversation with the Director.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Rewards & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.