JOB DESCRIPTION – HR BUSINESS PARTNER
Job Title: HR Business Partner
Reports to: Head of HR
Salary: Up to £44,796 per annum (full-time equivalent), with a part-time salary of up to £35,836.80, depending on qualifications and experience.
Hours: Full time up to 37hrs per week, will consider part-time minimum 29.6 hours per week, 0.8 FTE
Purpose of the role
The main purpose of this role is to work closely with Senior Managers and Heads of Department to provide advice and support at every stage of the employment life cycle including recruitment, training, change management initiatives and employee relations. In addition, the role will support and coach managers on absence and performance management and ways to motivate their employees and lead more effectively. The incumbent will also support the HR team in all areas of generalist HR activities as required. The incumbent will be expected to build strong relationships with managers and employees, with the ability to quickly gain an in-depth understanding of their business areas to provide advice and guidance on a wide range of people matters.
Duties and responsibilities
- Employee Relations and Change Management:
Act as HR lead in guiding managers through complex employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance and performance related matters within the legal framework and College procedures
Support the Head of HR and managers in all aspects of organisational change and take the lead on consultations, changes to T&Cs and any follow-up actions
• Provide guidance and support managers through the effective management of short and longterm absence cases
Advise and guide managers and employees in relation to contractual matters and the interpretation of policies and procedures
• Undertake exit interviews as appropriate, ensuring appropriate follow-up action is taken for any issues raised
Take the lead on requests and matters relating to maternity, absence, flexible working applications, parental leave and other special leave – facilitate processes and variations to contracts as appropriate
2. Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding
Take the lead on all recruitment campaigns, working closely with the HR Administrator and recruiting managers
Coach managers through the drafting of job descriptions and person specifications and support the appropriate grading
• Provide insight into best practice and effective mechanisms for recruitment and development
Coach managers on best practice for selection techniques and process
• Assist the Head of HR with the management of academic recruitment campaigns, appointments and contracts
• Support managers and employees with the College’s probation, induction, and onboarding processes
• Keep up to date with changes to the immigration system
HR Policies & Procedures
Proactively research, develop, implement and embed best practice HR services, policy and principles, in line with current legislation, updating SMT and HoDs as required
Work closely with the Head of HR to develop new initiatives and improve/simplify existing practices, policies and procedures
In conjunction with the Head of HR, ensure that statements of Terms and Conditions of employment are up to date and fit for purpose for all College employee categories
• Mentor managers and employees on HR policies and best practices
Reward and benefits
• Assist the HR team in the roll-out and promotion of new and existing benefits
• Liaise with HR Administrator regarding all payroll changes
• Assist with job designs and salary benchmarking
Training & Development
• Assist the Head of HR with the development of and implementation of training frameworks
Responsible for administering performance and development reviews process, including induction and probation
• Support Heads of Department and managers with the identification of training and development needs
Assist with the sourcing, development and delivering of ad hoc training sessions as required, including management training
Assist with the delivery of the College Induction programme for new managers and Heads of Department and employees
General duties
Analyse and report on people data to provide insights and recommendations on how to improve employee engagement and retention
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc tasks as directed by the Head of HR
• Assist with the design and implementation of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives
• Provide guidance to the HR Administrator on the provision of daily HR administrative tasks
Provide guidance to the HR Administrator in ensuring the integrity of data on the HR Information System and to ensure the optimal functioning of the system
Deputise for the Head of HR, cover HR Business Partner and stand in for HR Administrator as required
• Stay abreast of employment law and HR best practices to enhance your professional capabilities
• Adhere to College policies, including Health and Safety and Data Protection
Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this role
Required qualifications, skills, experience and personal qualities
Qualifications
• Educated to a degree level or equivalent
• MCIPD qualified or equivalent relevant experience
Skills, experience and personal qualities
HR business partnering experience, working closely with senior management and providing support in all aspect of HR
• Extensive experience leading on complex ER cases
Demonstrable experience of managing key HR processes and procedures in the employee life cycle
Demonstrable knowledge and experience in employment law, its practical application and implementing policy
Experience in leading on or assisting with change management initiatives
• Ability to analyse problems and to develop a range of creative and innovative solutions that will add value
• Project management skills with the ability to take the HR lead on projects
• Ability to take responsibility for planning own work, consistently achieving and delivering to time and quality despite tight timescales and conflicting priorities
Experience of advising and influencing management on staffing matters including HR operations and practice
• Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to successfully present information
• Proficient in the use of MS Office and HR Information Systems
• Attention to detail
• Able to demonstrate flexibility, diplomacy and adaptability to be successful in a changing environment
• Confidentiality and ability to engage and build strong working relationships within the business
• Team player with the ability to work using own initiative
Requirement to undertake a basic DBS check
Experience in HE/FE sector will be advantageous
Please note that we reserve the right to make minor changes to the Job Description to meet the needs of the organisation. As an employer, we care for and look after our employees, ensuring fair and equal treatment. Any necessary adjustments will be considered to the above in keeping with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.