Regional HR Business Partner (East)

Conrad Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2SD

Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover for up to 12 months

Salary: £51,356 - £54,495 + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: 37 (full-time)

Start date: June 2026 (some flexibility)

Lift Schools is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to provide maternity cover within our East region. This opportunity would suit an experienced education HR professional or consultant looking for a substantial, values-led placement within a large public sector organisation.

This is a senior, hands-on role providing expert HR leadership across 12 schools in the Essex region. You will support schools through complex people matters while working closely with principals, regional leaders and the wider HR services team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the regional HR team, including:
  • Line management of two HR advisors
  • Oversight of six HR coordinators
• Working closely with the lead HR business partner and head of HR services to deliver a consistent, high-quality HR service across the region
• Managing complex employee relations casework, including:
  • Discipline, grievance, absence and capability
  • Safeguarding and child protection-related matters
• Advising and supporting schools through:
  • Restructures and organisational change
  • Ofsted preparation and follow-up activity
• Building strong, trusted relationships with school and regional leaders

We're looking for someone who:

• Has significant HR experience within education, local authority or wider public sector settings
• Is confident leading complex ER and safeguarding investigations
• Has experience managing a broad caseload across multiple sites
• Is credible, calm and collaborative, with the ability to build relationships quickly
• Has experience leading HR colleagues in a multi-site environment
• Is comfortable working at pace and juggling competing priorities

Location and working pattern

• Hybrid working: typically three days on site, two days remote
• Base location: Lift New Rickstones, with regular travel to other schools in the region as required
• Candidates must be based in Essex and able to travel between schools

Contract details

• A June start is ideal to allow for handover with the current postholder, though some flexibility on start date and contract length may be considered.
• We welcome applications from individuals seeking:
  
  • Fixed-term employment, or
  • Engagement via a personal service company, where appropriate

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 58 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

• Comprehensive training: Access a wide range of developmental training to boost your career.
• Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
• Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th March 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.