HR PARTNER

We are recruiting for a People Partner to join our HR team, this will be a field based role in Reading with travel in and around Reading, Bristol and Oxford. We are an award-winning and accredited education services business with 30 years of expertise. We are a technology-enabled business, but people are at the heart of what we do. We believe in developing long-lasting relationships with our customers and employees, with our relationships lasting, on average, 11 years. We are 100% dedicated to education and our expert team of nearly 275 highly qualified employees support more than 2,500 schools nationwide. Working in partnership with our schools and their leaders you’ll contribute to the successful delivery of their people strategies. To ensure outstanding customer service across the organisation by delivering, and supporting colleagues to deliver, expert advice and guidance on all aspects of people management in a timely and effective manner, whilst maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality and integrity. You will be constantly striving to improve the efficiency and professionalism of working practices to meet the company’s objective of “clarity and consistency” and working “smarter not harder” to facilitate an increase in customer base whilst maintaining and improving customer service. Roles & Responsibilities To manage and support a portfolio of schools on all aspects of People management. Coach and mentor junior team members to support their development and to ensure that all customers receive timely, accurate and professional advice. Respond to a wide range of customer enquiries, via telephone, e-mail, or other correspondence, relating to People issues in a professional manner, to ensure that customers receive timely, accurate and valuable advice. Offer accurate interpretation, advice, application, and representation to customers on employment legislation, best practice and policies and procedures in relation to and in the context of customers’ policies and procedures on a range of People matters. This includes complex casework on recruitment and selection, remuneration, terms, and conditions of service, disciplinary and capability (performance and health) cases, grievance, redundancy and whole school restructures, academy conversions and TUPE etc., liaising senior colleagues where appropriate. Visit schools and customers to provide support and advice on People concerns to allow them to drive their business forward. To attend and advise, at formal hearings/appeals, and advise at union consultation meetings. Current membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Minimum of 18 months experience in an advisory position within a HR environment, which will include advice and support for managers, training, responsibility for issues such as the appointment and dismissal of staff, grievance, disciplinary procedures, absence management, redundancy, etc. Competency in establishing good working relationships with a range of customers e.g. headteachers, governors, and senior managers, or similar. Competency in working within the constraints of predefined employment policies and procedures Good attention to detail Ability to prioritise and work well under pressure to strict deadlines Supporting information and working conditions Homework base with working visits to Huntingdon. Client site visits essential for on-site meetings. Full UK driving license. Occasional overnight stays are necessary for this role. Other information There are several reasons people have stayed with EPM for a number of years, we offer a wide range of benefits: 26 days annual leave + 8 days public holiday A generous pension package BUPA Cash Payment Flexible working arrangements Cycle Scheme Company events Tailored learning and development programmes We offer an inclusive and open workplace At EPM we have great career progression and learning and development courses along the way. We are all about supporting our staff and promoting people from within.