Human Resources Business Partner - London
People Business Partner (London and Portsmouth Primaries)
Reports to: Head of Business PartneringLocation: Currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office
Contract: Permanent
Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm)
Closing date: 05/12/2024
Interviews: Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000 (depending on experience)
An effective People Partner will be enabling the delivery of a proactive, effective, and efficient People service ensuring that strategies are in place to balance the needs of individual academies whilst supporting the delivery of Ark’s strategic objectives.
This role is a Business Partner in training, focusing on establishing this approach to HR service delivery, working closely and effectively with the People Business Partners building the necessary skills and abilities to be successful in this role.
Key Responsibilities- Partner with Regional Director(s) to enable the effective development and implementation of People strategies, plans and practices
- Support your Region(s) on all key People processes, providing guidance, coaching and constructive challenge when appropriate
- Lead and develop the provision of People services, responding to staff issues as appropriate
- Work effectively and collaboratively with the HR resources in schools, the wider People team, and other Central teams to effectively maximise performance and exercise good people management practices
- Lead on local trade union consultations and negotiations
- Own, analyse, and report People data in ways that underpins best practice and effective people management and planning (including management intelligence and on which strategic decisions can be made)
- Lead project work in support of Ark’s plans and priorities
Key Requirements:
- CIPD qualified Level 7 (or equivalent)
- Commitment to Continuous Professional Development in the HR field
- Right to work in the UK
- Demonstrable experience in HR including stakeholder management
- Demonstrable project management skills
- Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of HR best practice and practical application of employment law, can demonstrate handling ER cases effectively and providing a commercial approach with flexible/outcome focused solutions
- Able to demonstrate working collaboratively and delivering successfully on change management initiatives and projects
- Able to manage conflicting priorities and achieve stretching objectives
- Professional integrity and resilience, being resourceful and solution-oriented
- Knowledge and understanding of the education sector (desirable)
Demonstrates Band Two of the CIPD Professional Map Behaviours covering the following:
- Curious – is future-focused, inquisitive, and open-minded; seeks out evolving and innovative ways to add value to the organisation
- Decisive thinker – demonstrates the ability to analyse and understand data and information quickly. Uses information, insights, and knowledge in a structured way to identify options, make recommendations and make robust, defendable decisions
- Role model – consistently leads by example. Acts with integrity, impartiality, and independence, balancing personal, organisation and legal parameters
- Courage to challenge – shows courage and confidence to speak up skilfully, challenging others even when confronted with resistance or unfamiliar circumstances
- Driven to deliver – demonstrates determination, resourcefulness, and purpose to deliver the best results for the organisation
- Collaborative – works effectively and inclusively with a range of people, both within and outside of the organisation
- Professionally credible – builds and delivers professionalism through combining commercial and HR expertise to bring value to the organisation, stakeholders, and peers
- Skilled influencer – demonstrates the ability to influence to gain the necessary commitment and support from diverse stakeholders in pursuit of organisation value
Benefits:
- Our hybrid working model aims to offer the best of both worlds, striking the right balance between in-person collaboration and remote working. You will work a minimum of two days per week in our state-of-the-art office in West London allowing you to connect with colleagues, with the flexibility to work remotely, or in the office over the remaining days
- In addition to our current hybrid working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
- Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
- Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
- As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year
- Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
- Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests
About Us:
We’re an international charity, transforming lives through education. We exist to give every young person, regardless of their background, a great education and real choices in life. In the UK, we’re a network of 39 schools, educating around 30,000 pupils in areas where we can make the biggest difference and we’re recognised as one of the highest achieving academy groups in the country.We want to change the lives of children everywhere, not just in our own schools. So, we create and incubate Ventures designed not only to help pupils in Ark schools, but also to improve education systems.
You’ll be joining a group of like-minded, ambitious individuals who work collaboratively and are all committed to our core mission, that every child has the potential to succeed. Having just celebrated our 20th anniversary, we are shaping our goals for the next 20 and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.
Diversity and inclusion:
We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.
Safeguarding statement:
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.
Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment.However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.
Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.