Job outline

Job title:

Senior HR Adviser

Job ref:
Hours:

37 per week, flexible working considered

Salary band:

c. 40,000 per annum, dependent on experience, plus excellent pension

and performance bonus

Contract:

Permanent

Reports to:

HR Management Team

Team:

Schools HR Team

Location:

Head Office Stevenage

Our company
Herts for Learning Ltd is a fast growing, nationally recognised not-for-profit company
dedicated to supporting schools to provide children with the best education. We provide
bespoke school improvement and business management services to over 500 schools,
helping raise pupil achievement and improve the quality of teaching and learning. We are the
UKs largest schools company with an excellent reputation: Hertfordshire schools and
education settings consistently perform above the national average.
See more at: http://www.hertsforlearning.co.uk
Job context and purpose
Herts for Learnings Schools HR Team provides specialist HR advice and consultancy to
schools across Hertfordshire. Hundreds of schools, covering a staff base of around 30,000
staff, subscribe to our service and we retain the vast majority of our clients each year. The
service is highly valued because of the deep expertise we bring and the strength of
relationships we build with schools.
We are looking for a new Senior HR Adviser to join our supportive and busy team to meet the
growing demand for our services.
Main areas of responsibility
The Senior HR Adviser will be responsible for:
Advisory Services
Providing high quality support and advice across a range of HR areas, including pay
and performance, ill health, disciplinary, grievance and capability working closely with
Headteachers, Governors and schools staff
Conducting investigations where required
Providing on-site support at hearings and formal meetings

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Job outline

Effectively managing complex employee relations cases through to resolution,

ensuring compliance with ACAS guidelines and minimising exposure where possible
to employment tribunals
Maintaining excellent relationships with schools and other key stakeholders, such as
Trade Union representatives
Building on existing relationships to generate new business for the team
Working closely with our in house solicitor to ensure cases are managed in the most
appropriate and professional way, minimising risk for the schools we serve

Consultancy
Leading restructuring and redundancy projects for schools, supporting schools to
develop sustainable workforce plans and advising throughout the restructuring
process
Advising schools on the TUPE process and supporting schools converting from
maintained to academy status
Representing the HR service on cross-functional HfL support groups for specific
schools in financial difficulty
Policy development
Developing HR policies, procedures and toolkits to support schools
Providing advice to academy, free and independent schools on their HR strategy and
policies
Team Leadership
Managing and developing more junior members of the team to ensure high quality
and efficient support to schools
Delegating more routine work to junior staff, and coaching them to develop their
expertise
Keeping abreast of national policy changes and employment law developments to
inform practice within the team
Contribute to the design and delivery of HR training and events for schools and
settings to raise awareness of relevant HR topics and help build capability in schools
Business Development
Work with the management team to develop new service lines
Be responsible for the delivery of key business development projects
Key relationships
Headteachers
School Business Management staff
Governors
Trade Union representatives
Head of HR
Legal representatives
Person specification
With a proven track record of success in an HR generalist role, the ideal candidate will be
able to display the following skills, experience and attributes:

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Job outline
Experience
Commercially minded individual with proven experience in providing high quality
advice to senior stakeholders across a range of HR issues
Experience of working in a HR Business Partnering or Senior Advisory capacity on a
range of complex HR projects, including areas such as restructuring and redundancy
and TUPE
Experience of operating in public, education or not for profit sector would be an
advantage
Knowledge
Deep knowledge of or ability to come up to speed quickly on Education sector
employment law
Educated to degree level or equivalent
Member of the CIPD, or equivalent qualification
Behaviours and Skills
Future focussed, inquisitive and open-minded
Ability to influence and engage with a wide range of people to deliver impact
Flexible self-starter who is comfortable working in a fast-changing environment
Highly professional, demonstrating a commitment to high quality
Strong team player who works collaboratively and inclusively with a wide range of
stakeholders
Ability to quickly analyze complex information and make robust decisions
Ability to use discretion and exercise professional judgement
Ability to juggle multiple priorities and successfully manage client expectations
Demonstrates determination, resourcefulness and purpose to deliver the best results
for our schools and Herts for Learning
Leads by example and acts with integrity
Strong commitment to Herts for Learnings mission
Strong passion for delivering exceptional service
Equal opportunities
HfL is committed to the aim of ensuring that everyone who applies to work for us receives fair
treatment and we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible
candidates regardless of age, disability, race, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation,
religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership and caring status. We expect all our staff to
demonstrate a commitment to advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations.
Disclosure and Barring Service
This post is subject to full pre-employment checks and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974. Please note that additional information referring to the Disclosure and
Barring Service is in the guidance notes to the application form. If you are invited to an
interview you will receive more information.
Health and safety

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Job outline
It is the duty of every employee while at work to take reasonable care for the Health and
Safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at
work and to comply with all company health and safety policies at all times.
Intellectual property rights
It is a contractual requirement of all employees of Herts for Learning to protect the
intellectual, property rights of the company and to adhere to our company policy with regard
to IP.
APPLICATION PROCESS
In order to apply for this role, please visit: www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/content/working-for-us
Please download and complete the HfL application form and supporting statement explaining
why you are applying and how you meet the requirements of the job outline and person
specification. Please keep your supporting statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.
For application queries, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01438 844786 or
hfl.recruitment@hertsforlearning.co.uk
Closing Date: 26th Feb 2016
Interview Day: 3rd or 4th March 2016

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