HR Business Partner

 HR Business Partner | West Cumbria |£38,000| Full Time | Excellent Pension & Holidays | Site Based

Are you the person managers already ring when a case gets complicated? Are you ready for a role where you keep the HR team running day to day as well as handling the casework?

Foxgroves Recruitment is working with a well-established client in the Education sector in Cumbria to find their next HR Business Partner. It's a busy, people-focused organisation with a strong sense of purpose, supporting students and a large, varied workforce across teaching, support and leadership teams. The HR team is supportive and forward-thinking, and they genuinely want someone who'll bring ideas and professional judgement rather than just process.

This is a broad, hands-on role. You'll be the go-to adviser for managers across the organisation, coordinate the HR team's workload day to day, and get involved in workforce planning, data, development and change. If you like variety and want real ownership in an organisation that does something worthwhile, this one is worth a look.

The Role

You'll support line managers across the organisation, giving expert advice and keeping the HR service running smoothly.

Employee relations

• Advise managers and staff on the full range of ER matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance and attendance
• Handle complex cases yourself, making sure they're managed fairly and in line with employment law and internal procedures
• Support restructures, consultations and service reviews, making sure change is handled consistently and properly

Leading the HR service day to day

• Coordinate the HR team's workload, making sure priorities are clear and service standards hold up
• Work alongside the wider team to deliver a responsive, professional HR service in a busy environment
• Oversee HR administration, including contracts, contractual changes, payroll amendments, DBS checks and employee records

Partnering with managers

• Build proper working relationships with managers and leaders across the organisation
• Act as a trusted partner on people-related decisions, with the confidence to steer and challenge where needed
• Support recruitment and selection so good people are attracted, appointed and onboarded on time

Workforce planning and data

• Support workforce planning, identifying current and future staffing needs
• Maintain and analyse workforce data, turning it into reports managers will actually use
• Track trends in recruitment, retention, turnover, absence, equality and succession planning

Development, policy and culture

• Work with leaders to identify training needs and help plan staff development
• Contribute to the review and development of HR policies and procedures
• Lead and support HR projects and improvement work that make a real difference to the employee experience
• Champion wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Make sure the organisation stays compliant with employment legislation and safeguarding requirements

You'll Flourish if You Have

• CIPD Level 3 (or equivalent), with experience in a busy HR environment
• Solid experience of managing complex ER cases yourself, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance, rather than only supporting on them
• Strong organisational skills and a good eye for detail, with the ability to juggle priorities and hit deadlines
• The communication skills and credibility to build real relationships with managers at all levels
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, equality, safeguarding and continuous improvement
• Comfort with workforce data and reporting
• CIPD Level 5 or above is desirable
• Education or public sector experience will help, but it isn't essential

Why You'll Love Working Here

• £38,000 salary
• 29 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and 2 discretionary days, rising to 33 days after five years' service
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent CPD, with mentorship and coaching to support your development
• A friendly, supportive HR team that's keen to learn and grow
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised onsite restaurant
• Cycle scheme, tech scheme and discounted gym membership

 

Safer Recruitment
Foxgroves Recruitment follows safer recruitment practice on all appointments within education and regulated settings, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and the statutory guidance that applies to our clients. As part of any application you may be asked to provide a full employment history with an explanation of any gaps, references covering your most recent roles including your most recent employer in a role working with children, and details of any relevant convictions in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check, and to any further checks required by the employer before an appointment is confirmed.

Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification. Reasonable adjustments are available for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.