Senior Employee Relations Adviser (Schools)

About Haringey

Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.
Our history champions change-makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community-focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.

About the Role

As the Senior Employee Relations Adviser, you will be working alongside the Head of Schools HR and Employee Relations Advisers in providing high-quality Employee Relations services to our family of schools.
As the manager of a team of HR Advisers, the role encompasses overseeing and guiding them in effectively supporting our schools across various aspects of the employee life cycle. This entails handling a diverse range of casework, including but not limited to recruitment, sickness absence management, capability assessments, disciplinary proceedings, grievance resolution, health and safety concerns, as well as navigating processes related to redundancy and retirement. Through comprehensive understanding and application of relevant policies and procedures, my team ensures fair and consistent treatment of employees while safeguarding the interests of the organization.
Furthermore, we provide invaluable assistance to schools undergoing organisational changes or transfers of undertakings (TUPE), offering strategic advice and practical support to facilitate smooth transitions and minimize disruption. This involves collaborating closely with stakeholders to assess impacts, devise effective communication strategies, and ensure legal compliance throughout the process.
In addition to our casework responsibilities, we serve as trusted advisers, offering expert guidance and coaching to headteachers, managers, and governing bodies on school HR policies and procedures. By fostering open communication channels and providing tailored support, we empower decision-makers to navigate complex HR matters confidently, promoting a culture of accountability and transparency within the educational institution.
Moreover, my team plays a pivotal role in facilitating informed decision-making through the provision of accurate management information and data analysis. By leveraging sophisticated HR systems and analytical tools, we generate insightful reports and metrics to inform workforce planning initiatives, enabling schools to optimize staffing resources and anticipate future needs effectively.
Lastly, we actively contribute to the refinement and enhancement of HR policies and procedures, drawing upon our frontline experiences and industry best practices to ensure they remain relevant, compliant, and reflective of the evolving needs of our schools and workforce. By staying abreast of legislative changes and emerging trends, we uphold the highest standards of HR excellence while driving positive outcomes for both employees and the organisation as a whole.

Working for Haringey

At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community.
Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement up to 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and well-being support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money-saving discounts.

About You

The ideal candidate for this role boasts extensive experience within Education HR, operating within the nuanced environment of Local Government or multi-academies trusts. Their primary focus lies in navigating the intricacies of Employee Relations casework, particularly within unionised settings. With a proven track record of success, they have effectively managed highly complex Employee Relations cases, including representation in employment tribunals, demonstrating a keen ability to uphold legal compliance while fostering positive outcomes for all parties involved.
Additionally, this candidate brings to the table a wealth of experience in line management or supervision. This indicates not only their proficiency in guiding and developing team members but also their capability to ensure the efficient execution of HR functions within their purview. Furthermore, their expertise extends to the development of employment policies and procedures, highlighting their strategic acumen and attention to detail in aligning HR practices with organizational objectives and regulatory standards.
Moreover, the candidate possesses hands-on experience in designing and delivering Employee Relations-related training and workshops. This underscores their commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the workforce, equipping staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate complex HR challenges effectively.

About the Team

We are a traded services team with shared responsibility with our schools for the education and safety of our pupil and the wellbeing of school employees. We provide our schools with professional Human Resources and Payroll Service that enables them to focus on delivering on their strategic plans, sustain high performance and student’s attainments.