People Advisor

London South East Colleges; Orpington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced People Advisor to join our People Team at London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT). This role is perfect for a proactive HR professional who thrives on providing high-quality advice and support across the full employee lifecycle. You will be instrumental in driving best practices and supporting our managers and staff to achieve excellence in employee relations, recruitment, and organisational development. You will need to be mobile to travel across all school sites as needed.

Key Responsibilities

As a People Advisor, you will:

• Provide expert advice and support to managers on recruitment, performance management, and employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, grievances, and absence management.
• Lead on organisational change initiatives such as restructures, TUPE transfers, and efficiency savings.
• Actively manage the employee relations case list, ensuring consistent application of Trust policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Senior People Business Partner to support cultural changes, policy development, and strategic initiatives across the Trust.
• Contribute to the Trust's recruitment activities, including attending recruitment fairs and supporting campaigns to attract top talent.
• Champion employee engagement, wellbeing, and safety initiatives, including managing the Occupational Health Service and Employee Assistance Programme.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a candidate with:

• Experience in a People/HR advisory role, ideally within the education sector or similar environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, recruitment principles, and performance management processes.
• Proven ability to manage complex employee relations cases and lead on organisational change projects.
• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• A professional and approachable manner, with the ability to build relationships and provide guidance at all levels.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and HR software solutions.

About Us

London South East Academies Trust's growing network currently comprises thirteen mainstream, special and alternative provision academies, an outreach service and a music hub, located across Bromley, Bexley, Lambeth, Sussex and Surrey. Our schools are committed to raising attainment, encouraging aspiration and supporting social mobility for every single pupil, throughout their educational journey and beyond. Our holistic, yet personalised approach, enables children to flourish and achieve their full potential, regardless of their background or learning needs.

As a Trust, we provide outstanding support and leadership development opportunities for staff across our schools. We encourage the sharing of best practice, together with high-quality, cost-effective central services to ensure success for all. Our Trust sits within London & South East Education Group, which also includes a multi-campus further and higher education college (London South East Colleges) and a charity (LASER Education Foundation). This unique set-up provides excellent progression pathways for our pupils, as well as extensive development opportunities for staff. Our outstanding teams are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for all. We know that education has the power to change lives - and by adding further expertise and diversity to our thriving Trust, we can provide even more opportunities for our pupils, our schools and our communities.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes annual leave of 27 days (excluding bank holidays), plus a further three days over the Christmas break. We provide up to two more additional College closure days throughout the year and also offer leave for volunteering. Excellent pension schemes are offered, including employer contributions (Teachers' Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme or Nest). Other benefits include:

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Free onsite parking
• Cycle to work/bike loan scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to our onsite gym at LSEC Bromley, discounts in our in-house restaurants and on our hair and beauty treatments

Equal Opportunities

London South East Academies Trust is fully-committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer, and creating a diverse and inclusive workspace, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome and encourage applications from all, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion/belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status and/or marital/partnership status. As a Disability Confident - Committed employer, we will offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meet the minimum job role criteria. If you have accessibility needs and/or require any adjustments for the application and interview process, please let us know.

As the Trust supports a number of children and vulnerable adults, all staff are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Accordingly, all staff will be subject to an 'Enhanced' DBS (formerly CRB) check, along with a Children's Barred List check if in regulated activity. Any offers of appointment may be withdrawn if these checks prove to be unsatisfactory to the Trust. Self-disclosure will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you fail to make a full disclosure or provide sight of your DBS certificate then your offer of employment is likely to be withdrawn. The Trust's DBS policy covers the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available upon request.