HR Officer/HR Advisor

Job Title: HR Officer or HR Advisor 

Location: Across the Trust (based at Ivybridge Community College currently) Travel to meetings at the Plymouth Head office will also be required 

Grade:(£24,432 - £32,798 dependent on experience) PLUS a 10% Recruitment allowance for the first 12-months

*Payment is made in 2 lump sums, paid at 6 and 12 months

Hours: 37 hours a week, 52 weeks per year  

Reports to: HR Business Partner 

Contract: Permanent 

Based at Ivybridge Community College, the HR Officer/Advisor be working in a fast-paced environment as part of the College’s HR Team.  The post holder will provide advice and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, helping to ensure timely progression of queries and cases in line with Trust policies, employment legislation and best practice guidance. If you are a dedicated and highly proficient HR generalist looking to consolidate your practice and further your career in the education sector, this post provides the opportunity to take the next exciting step in your journey.

Ivybridge is an exciting place to work, with lots of aspirational professionals – and other occupational benefits too which come as part of your employment through Westcountry Schools Trust:

• Generous contractual provisions around maternity, annual leave and sick pay.

• We offer membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, one of the most generous schemes in the UK with high employer contributions through national provider Peninsula Pensions. 

• We provide free eye tests and contributions towards VDU use glasses through a choice of national opticians.

• You have the opportunity to buy a bike (and coming soon the latest Tech) through our cycle and Tech schemes.  You pay nothing upfront and the payments are taken tax efficiently from your salary through salary sacrifice. 

• We offer an Employee Assistance Programme to all of our employees.

• Free Parking on-site

• Being part of a growing Trust means that we offer further opportunities for personal and professional development both on a school level and across the Trust.

• Staff Enrichment Programme, offering a variety of activities across the week (local to Ivybridge).

• Free use of the community sports centre gym facilities (local to Ivybridge)

What does the role involve?

WeST is a complex schools trust that is maturing rapidly, and this post provides an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with students and staff at its heart, built on an extensive track record of excellence.  

Our Trust consists of 27 schools (in both primary and secondary phases) and The Learning Institute (TLI).  Our schools are in relatively close geographical proximity to one another, across south Devon, Plymouth and south-east Cornwall.  We are positioned in the heart of the south-west peninsula, a stone’s throw from some of the most picturesque countryside and coastal locations in the UK.

Providing dedicated support to our largest secondary school, the post holder will report to the College’s HR Business Partner, providing advice and support on a broad range of employee relations matters, helping to ensure timely progression of queries and cases.  In addition, assisted by x2 HR Administrators, the HR Officer/Advisor will oversee the provision of a high quality college-based HR administration and payroll service. Stakeholder management is key and there will be a high level of interaction with college staff all levels in the provision of advice and guidance. Time will also be spent with the Core HR Team at our central offices in Plymouth to ensure connectivity with the HR Team and contribution to wider Trust policy and project work.

You should be qualified to (or working towards) at least Associate CIPD level, with demonstrable experience of providing generalist HR advice/guidance/project work, including managing a routine caseload. You should also have the experience or ability to support the college’s HRBP with a variety of more complex cases, alongside developing your practice to work independently as a HR professional. 

You will be a strong team player with the ability to work on your own initiative and make judgements within the boundaries of the role, possessing knowledge across the broad range of HR practices and procedures acquired through training and experience.  

We would be keen to hear from dedicated and passionate HR professionals who are keen to progress their career in the education sector as part of a HR service in a growing organisation.  

For an informal discussion regarding this role please contact Jocelyn Davis, Director of People, on mob. 07799730789 or Jenna Gipson, HR Business Partner, on mob: 07719047373.

Application forms; full job description and person specification are available from www.westst.org.uk 

Completed applications to be returned to recruitment@westst.org.uk by the closing date.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday, 13 June 2022.

Interviews are due to take place during the week commencing Monday, 20 June 2022

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  

A DBS check is required for this post.