The closing date for this job has now passed.

Job reference: 004954
Salary: £26,647 - £30,538 starting salary, commensurate with experience
Closing date: 28/06/2022
Department: Human Resources
Location: Leigh Academies Trust
Employment type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: Full time: 37 hours per week
Start date: As soon as possible

Job Description

Leigh Academies Trust continues to expand and to ensure we continue to deliver a highly effective People Services function we are expanding our HR Team.  We are looking for two exceptional HR practitioners to join us in the role of People Advisor; two newly created roles.  Both positions are based at Leigh Academies Trust Head Office in Strood, Rochester.  However, the expectation is that the post holders are only based in Strood one day a week. This will change based on the requirements of the role. Each role will support one of our HR People Partners who cover either Dartford and South East London or our Medway and mid-Kent cluster which would mean travelling to these academies when required. Please state in your application which location is your preference. 

The main purpose of your role as a People Advisor will be to support the HR People Partner and Associate People Partner with employee relations casework (e.g. disciplinaries, grievances, capability and absence management), including minute taking, conducting investigations, attending hearings and producing documentation. Ideally you will already have experience in dealing with absence management; tracking, monitoring and advising accordingly. You will provide administrative support with contractual matters as well as email, telephone and face-to- face advice to academy staff on all matters of HR policy and practice. You will be working with a variety of stakeholders on a daily basis so excellent communication skills are essential; this is a broad and varied role so an open and positive mind-set is essential.  

The People Advisors who join our team will be genuine team players and thrive on working both independently and as part of a team, and have confidence in using your initiative. We are a very busy department, so you will have to multitask and prioritise your workload with great skill! Above all else, a positive attitude and motivation to perform well in this role is essential, as is a real passion for HR and pride in representing Leigh Academies Trust in the best way possible. We want the best people in Leigh Academies Trust, and we hope you want to be part of it.  

Our successful candidates will receive;

  • A starting salary of £26,647 - £30,538 per annum 25 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays which increases with length of service
  • Annual pay progression based on great performance 
  • Further career development and training opportunities to suit your needs and career aspirations
  • A generous pension scheme (LGPS)
  • Full company closure over the Christmas period 
  • The chance to be part of a genuinely supportive, collaborative and highly experienced HR Department

Please note that training will be provided to upskill you in any areas that you do not currently have experience/knowledge. As travel between sites will be required, you will ideally hold a valid UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle – mileage is reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy.

The working basis of the role is 37 hours per week throughout the full year; Monday to Friday. Typical start and finish times are 8.00am - 4.30pm but we can be flexible based on the successful candidates’ commitments. 

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Naomi Mercer (HR People Partner) on 07892 793 129 or naomi.mercer@latrust.org.uk or Sarah Turnbull (HR People Partner) on 07972 195 017  or  sarah.turnbull@latrust.org.uk. Please note that all applications must be submitted electronically via our e-recruitment system; we cannot accept CVs or speculative emails outside of this system.  


Being part of Leigh Academies Trust: As of 1st September 2021, our Trust will comprise 31 geographically organised academies (15 secondaries, 14 primaries and 2 special) educating 20,000 students, and employing 2,500 talented staff. The Trust is establishing four ‘clusters’ of academies: North West Kent; Central Kent; South East London; Medway. In addition, the Trust is responsible for one of the region’s biggest initial teaching training organisations, a large teaching school hub and is an accredited apprenticeship provider. Click here to view our future plans in our Vision 2025 document.

Our commitment to safeguarding: Leigh Academies Trust and all of our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.  

Our commitment to equality and diversity: As a Trust we are passionate about diversity and recognise that as individuals, we all bring something unique to the role regardless of any protected characteristics which is why we treat all of our people equally, without compromise. We are committed to providing equality and fairness throughout our recruitment and employment practices and not to discriminate on any grounds.

Take a look at the Trust http://www.latcareers.org.uk/