HR Advisor

As the Harris Federation continues to grow, we are looking to appoint two new HR Advisors to our central HR team.

Providing first level generalist HR advice to Federation and Academy managers, this is a varied role and an opportunity to develop your skills and experience working with the HR team in a wide range of areas including employee relations, reward, resourcing and talent development. You will work closely with the Federation Corporate Services teams and with leaders in our primary and secondary academies.

Previous experience in an HR role providing first level HR advice is required along with a professional approach and the ability to build effective working relationships. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about HR and eager to develop in an organisation that is setting standards of excellence in delivering happy and successful education.

The successful candidate will be based at our central office located next to East Croydon station with easy access to London Bridge and Victoria as well as fast access to the M25. Flexibility to travel to academies is required.

About Us

The Harris Federation is a leading education charity with 52 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 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

Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivery of a generalist HR advisory service to the Federation and Academies, providing up to date and informed HR guidance and support on HR policies, processes and systems.
• To provide professional advice and support to Federation and Academy leaders in all areas of employment relations such as grievance, disciplinary, and sickness absence management procedures, escalating complex cases as appropriate to the Head of HR and HR Business Partners.
• Support with organisation change programmes including redundancy, restructuring and TUPE transfers; preparing documents, supporting planning, due diligence completion etc.
• To participate in the development and delivery of HR policy skills workshops for line managers
• Assist with end-to-end employee lifecycle processes.
• Prepare HR documents and create and maintain templates.
• Produce Management Information reports.
• Evaluate Job Descriptions and provide advice and guidance on salary bandings to ensure a consistent and fair approach.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Work with the Head of HR and HR Business Partners to deliver HR calendar and review cycle activities and support HR initiatives including change management programmes, HR projects, case management etc.
• Undertake HR administrative tasks in support of the wider Team.
• Support the monthly Harris Federation payroll including payroll change processes.
• Assist with Employment Tribunal activities where required.
• Assist with visa, work permit and sponsorship queries, escalating where appropriate and liaising with the HR Advisor responsible for Sponsorship and Visas.
• Provide advice and guidance to Academy HR officers.
• Undertaking HR audit and reviewing of academy compliance with HR policy including sponsorship duties and obligations.
• To support the HR Business Partner with the implementation of specific workforce initiatives

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• At least part qualified CIPD Level 5 or equivalent by experience with a willingness to study.
• Experience of providing generalist HR advice on terms and conditions, application of HR policies and first line employee relations
• Good IT skills and knowledge including Microsoft Word and Excel and experience of producing reports and data analysis.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Confidence and ability to develop and maintain professional relationships at all levels.
• Discretion and diplomacy – an ability to exercise discretion and adhere to confidentiality requirements.
• A collaborative approach, effectively working with others to achieve team success.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management and planning skills.
• Ability to balance conflicting demands.
• Attention to detail – able to proof-read and spot check data and anomalies.
• Ability to be proactive, use initiative, and take ownership for all aspects of the role.
• Adopting high standards of ethical conduct at all times, with a clear understanding of the impact on others.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations.
• Ability to research new techniques, methods and procedures.
• Passion for HR and employee experience.
• Eagerness to learn continuously and keep up to date.

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 a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for non term-time only employees, 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.