Maiden Erlegh Trust is seeking an experienced and versatile People Business Partner to work closely with Headteachers and Leadership Teams across a portfolio of schools. This is a senior HR generalist role with a strong business-partnering focus, providing trusted, pragmatic advice and constructive challenge to drive colleague performance, organisational effectiveness and a strong One Trust culture.

You will play a key role in implementing the Trust’s people strategy at school level, supporting leaders through change, and ensuring people practices are aligned with the Trust’s vision, values and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Business partner Headteachers and School Leadership Teams on people strategy and workforce matters
• Coach and advise leaders on performance management and effective people leadership
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations cases, drawing on central HR expertise where appropriate
• Lead and support organisational design and restructuring activity
• Support cyclical HR processes including performance appraisal and pay awards
• Manage FTE and vacancies in partnership with Finance Business Partners
• Develop workforce, talent and succession plans at school level
• Support wellbeing, engagement and workload initiatives
• Feed school-level insights into the central People team and support Trust-wide initiatives
• Lead or contribute to HR projects and deliver training as required

About You

You will be an experienced HR professional with strong business-partnering capability and the confidence to work with senior leaders in a complex, fast-paced environment.

You will bring:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent level of HR experience
• Demonstrable experience of partnering with senior leadership teams
• Strong knowledge across employee relations, organisational design, resourcing, talent and reward
• Sound understanding of employment law and HR best practice
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
• The ability to work with ambiguity, manage competing priorities and drive change
• Experience within education or a unionised environment (desirable, not essential)

You will also be comfortable travelling regularly between Trust schools and committed to your own professional development.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5,000 students across eleven schools, including primary, secondary, special and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all through collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities and our annual MET Staff Conference, a day that brings colleagues together to share best practice and learn from one another.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise, playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

Further information about working with us, and insight from colleagues across the Trust, can be found here on our website.

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across the Trust benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

Our benefits include:

Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto-enrolment into either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Revalued Earnings schemes.

Annual Leave: A generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.

ME Day: One additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.

Professional Development: A comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual MET Staff Conference, bringing staff together for a full day of workshops, networking and shared learning. Apprenticeship Levy funding and professional development networks are also available.

Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based working where appropriate.

Perkbox: Access to a wide range of discounts and wellbeing resources, with 25 Perk points each month that can be exchanged for goods and services.

Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations for all staff and free eye tests for eligible colleagues.

Employee Assistance Programme: Access to 24/7 confidential support, discount vouchers and additional wellbeing resources.

Mental Health First Aid: Trained Mental Health First Aiders available across the Trust.

Recognition and Community: Regular celebration of staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.

Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger, supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

 Safeguarding and pre-employment checks

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with Children’s Barred List, and other relevant pre-employment checks.