Job Title: HR Advisor
Location: Hybrid - The Rock Centre, Walsall with hybrid working at other Trust offices, schools and home working to suit the needs of the Trust and ensure effective and efficient delivery of a centralised HR Service.
HR and Payroll at The Mercian Trust
HR and Payroll Department sits within the heart of The Mercian Trust. The department supports all The Mercian Trust Schools and Central Teams.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVING OUTCOMES
As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.
Put simply, our common purpose is to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for our students. We are particularly committed to students who are under-served and under-resourced. We prioritise those who have special educational needs and disabilities, or who are more likely to face discrimination for whatever reason.
It is this common purpose that fuels everything we do. We deliver impactful, sustainable and ethical continuous school improvement in our schools to ensure the children and young people in the communities we serve learn in the very best and most inclusive schools.
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve (which are the education investment areas of the West Midlands). We adopt a pioneering spirit and look to lead the sector with innovative solutions to the problems our students and families face.
Want to make a difference to young people?
Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within an educational community that values increasing opportunities, improving outcomes for our students. We are looking for a HR Advisor to join The HR and Payroll Team. Reporting to the People Manager you will:
- Provide a professional proactive and responsive HR advice and support with all employment matters e.g. employee performance, conduct (including safeguarding matters), capability, attendance, dismissal, disputes, restructures, redundancy, transfers (including TUPE), organisational change and workforce planning.
- To provide an efficient, effective, responsive HR service, ensuring key HR processes, procedures and systems are accurately administered and applied to each situation as appropriate.
- Responsible for developing and maintaining positive working relationships built on trust, integrity and mutual respect, with a variety of stakeholders (such as managers, senior leaders, trade union representatives and staff).
Key responsibilities:
- Supporting leaders and managers in implementing HR policies and procedures safely and effectively, through the provision of professional HR advice, guidance, support and intervention, and coaching / training delivery
- Support in the investigations of employment related matters with managers and leaders, support the investigating officer in drafting clear, accurate, objective and understandable reports for hearings
- Working with senior leaders, managers and colleagues to ensure the Trust/school effectively utilises and reviews job descriptions person specifications and associated HR documentation, in a fair, consistent and effective way
- Develop effective supportive approaches for staff and managers, to ensure HR policies are implemented effectively (e.g. developing booklets, having discussions with staff, attending meetings with managers and leaders).
- Provide professional HR advice and support to the school, ensuring that all successful candidates are recruited in line with legal and regulatory requirements, including Keeping Children Safe in Education
- Take responsibility for the leavers process, ensuring payroll are notified and relevant systems updated with end dates, letters and issue exit questionnaire.
Pay range: Grade 8 | SCP 26-31 | £22,670 - £25,401 | FTE £37,280 - £41,771
Qualifications and Skills:
- Minimum CIPD level 5 or equivalent professional HR qualification or working towards qualification
- Significant generalist HR advisory experience and support
- Experience of working in an educational setting in a HR Department
- Experience of coaching, supporting managers efficiently and effectively with managing sickness absence, capability, disciplinary and grievance matters to an appropriate conclusion.
- Experience of delivering training to managers and senior leaders
- Ability to work under pressure and flexibly in order or meet competing demands, that are time critical
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including sensitivity and the ability to influence others.
For full details of the post please see attached Job Description and Person Specification
Why The Mercian Trust?
As one Trust we share a common purpose. We call it our social mobility and social justice mission to change our communities through the very best equitable education. When we get this right, it enables our children and young people to fulfil their potential, thrive in the world of work, and make a positive contribution to the local, national and international community.
Put simply, our common purpose is to increase opportunities and improve outcomes for our students. We are particularly committed to students who are under-served and under-resourced. We prioritise those who have special educational needs and disabilities, or who are more likely to face discrimination for whatever reason.
It is this common purpose that fuels everything we do. We deliver impactful, sustainable and ethical continuous school improvement in our schools to ensure the children and young people in the communities we serve learn in the very best and most inclusive schools.
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve (which are the education investment areas of the West Midlands). We adopt a pioneering spirit and look to lead the sector with innovative solutions to the problems our students and families face.
Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more: The Mercian Trust - Home
Benefits:
Financial, Health and Lifestyle
- discounts on everyday purchases (Eden Red)
- a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care)
- a cycle to work scheme via Halfords
- access to the Blue Light Card
For further benefits including education sector leading CPD: The Mercian Trust - What we can offer you
The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments are subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.
The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
