Senior HR Advisor for Schools
| Posting date: | 06 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £15,175 to £20,320 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £15,175- £20,320 |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 29 June 2025 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RES0663 |
Summary
Part Time - Permanent - Job Share
Over the last few years we’ve taken great strides to modernise the HR services provided to our Schools, developing a dedicated a Schools HR Consultancy service and introducing self-service through iTrent HR System and recently developing bespoke training on HR policies.
An exciting opportunity for a part time, job share Senior HR Consultant has arisen and that means we’re looking for someone amazing to join our fabulous Schools HR Consultancy team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and you’ll have the option to work on a largely remote basis within this role, however occasional travel to the Civic Offices and Schools will be required.
About the role
As a key team within the Council’s corporate HR service, we provide a comprehensive HR consultancy service to 30+ schools in the borough. We’ll need you to work closely with your job share, headteachers, senior Leaders, governors and other key stakeholders, who will rely on you to provide expert ER knowledge and support.
You’ll join us on our change journey, we’re always looking to improve and provide an HR service that goes beyond the norm, making a genuine difference to all employees and schools. We love ideas – you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get involved in projects and initiatives and put your stamp on our practice.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
Previous HR experience is a must, ideally with schools, but we’re open to other relevant experience. Good customer focus is important and the ability to build great working relationships within the team and the wider diverse stakeholder group.
Teamwork and great communication skills with your job share partner are essential to ensure a seamless service to our schools and management of ER cases.
Specific requirements
Employee Relations casework experience
Experience in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and client users
Experience of working with customers to identify needs and resolve issues without service disruption
Good knowledge of legislation and best practice affecting employment including the Employment Rights Act, the Equality Act, Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, ACAS Codes of Practice etc.
Experience of working with schools would be desirable
We are pleased to offer the following working pattern options for this role:
Option 1:
2 days per week (14.8 hours – Wednesday and Thursday), all year round (52 weeks).
Actual salary: £15,175 – £19,484
Option 2:
2.5 days per week (18.5 hours – Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), term time only.
Actual salary: £15,826 – £20,320
Please indicate your preferred working pattern in your application.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position, please contact our Recruitment Team via email, recruitment@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: 27 June 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Over the last few years we’ve taken great strides to modernise the HR services provided to our Schools, developing a dedicated a Schools HR Consultancy service and introducing self-service through iTrent HR System and recently developing bespoke training on HR policies.
An exciting opportunity for a part time, job share Senior HR Consultant has arisen and that means we’re looking for someone amazing to join our fabulous Schools HR Consultancy team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and you’ll have the option to work on a largely remote basis within this role, however occasional travel to the Civic Offices and Schools will be required.
About the role
As a key team within the Council’s corporate HR service, we provide a comprehensive HR consultancy service to 30+ schools in the borough. We’ll need you to work closely with your job share, headteachers, senior Leaders, governors and other key stakeholders, who will rely on you to provide expert ER knowledge and support.
You’ll join us on our change journey, we’re always looking to improve and provide an HR service that goes beyond the norm, making a genuine difference to all employees and schools. We love ideas – you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get involved in projects and initiatives and put your stamp on our practice.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
About you
Previous HR experience is a must, ideally with schools, but we’re open to other relevant experience. Good customer focus is important and the ability to build great working relationships within the team and the wider diverse stakeholder group.
Teamwork and great communication skills with your job share partner are essential to ensure a seamless service to our schools and management of ER cases.
Specific requirements
Employee Relations casework experience
Experience in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and client users
Experience of working with customers to identify needs and resolve issues without service disruption
Good knowledge of legislation and best practice affecting employment including the Employment Rights Act, the Equality Act, Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, Trade Union and Labour Relations Act, ACAS Codes of Practice etc.
Experience of working with schools would be desirable
We are pleased to offer the following working pattern options for this role:
Option 1:
2 days per week (14.8 hours – Wednesday and Thursday), all year round (52 weeks).
Actual salary: £15,175 – £19,484
Option 2:
2.5 days per week (18.5 hours – Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday), term time only.
Actual salary: £15,826 – £20,320
Please indicate your preferred working pattern in your application.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position, please contact our Recruitment Team via email, recruitment@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: 27 June 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.