Job Summary
The Cluster People Officer is a front-facing operational HR role supporting a cluster of academies with day-to-day people matters. The postholder will act as a trusted first point of contact for Headteachers and leaders, providing practical advice, managing a range of employee relations matters, supporting recruitment activity and ensuring consistent application of Trust policy and employment practice.
The role combines advisory support, case management, recruitment coordination and people administration, helping schools manage their workforce effectively while escalating more complex matters appropriately.
Core Accountabilities
The postholder is accountable for:
- Providing responsive day-to-day HR support across an allocated cluster of schools.
- Supporting leaders to manage people matters confidently, fairly and consistently.
- Delivering efficient recruitment and onboarding support.
- Managing a range of employee relations matters in line with policy and best practice.
- Promoting compliance with employment law, safeguarding and Trust procedures.
- Building positive professional relationships across schools and central teams.
Operational HR Support
- Act as first point of contact for Headteachers and managers on routine HR queries.
- Provide practical advice on attendance, probation, conduct, capability, flexible working and policy interpretation.
- Support leaders with workforce planning, staffing changes and people processes.
- Ensure managers are applying Trust policies consistently and appropriately.
- Provide timely, solutions-focused support to operational people issues across the cluster.
- Escalate complex or high-risk matters to senior HR colleagues where appropriate.
Employee Relations
- Manage a range of employee relations cases including:
- short-term absence concerns
- informal conduct matters
- probation issues
- welfare concerns
- informal concerns
- flexible working queries
- informal capability support matters
- Support formal meetings by preparing letters, documentation and note-taking where required.
- Advise managers on appropriate next steps, risks and timescales.
- Track live cases and ensure matters progress in a timely manner.
- Support return to work meetings and attendance follow-up processes.
- Maintain accurate ER records and case files.
Attendance and Wellbeing
- Support schools with absence management processes.
- Complete or support return to work meetings where appropriate.
- Monitor absence trends and highlight concerns to leaders.
- Signpost wellbeing support and occupational health processes where required.
- Promote early intervention and supportive case management.
Recruitment and Resourcing
- Support end-to-end recruitment activity across the cluster.
- Draft adverts, candidate packs and recruitment communications.
- Coordinate recruitment campaigns, interview days and recruitment events.
- Support safer recruitment compliance including references, DBS and pre-employment checks.
- Liaise with candidates and hiring managers to ensure a positive recruitment experience.
- Support onboarding and induction processes for new starters.
Governance, Compliance and Safeguarding
- Ensure HR practice complies with Trust policy, employment legislation and safer recruitment standards.
- Maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive employee matters.
- Ensure accurate HR records are maintained in line with GDPR and retention guidance.
- Promote fair, consistent and inclusive employment practices.
- Support safeguarding expectations relevant to HR processes.
Communication and Collaboration
- Build strong working relationships with Headteachers and leaders across the cluster.
- Work collaboratively with payroll, finance and central support teams.
- Provide clear and professional written communication including letters, meeting outcomes and advice notes.
- Support delivery of Trust-wide people initiatives and change programmes.
- Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the Trust.
Please note: Applications can only be accepted by completion of our INOVA Multi-Academy Trust application form which can be accessed via our website here: Careers | INOVA Multi-Academy Trust
Pay: £30,024.00-£32,597.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free flu jabs
- Free or subsidised travel
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
- Transport links
Work Location: In person
