Join Us as an HR Advisor!

Location: Milton Keynes / Bromsgrove
Salary: Up to £32,500 per annum (dependent on experience)

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• 30 days of annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays
• Company pension scheme to secure your future
• Life insurance coverage (2x salary)
• Exclusive employee discount scheme
• Free on-site parking for your convenience

At Polaris, we are on a mission to enhance the educational experience for children and young people. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a proactive and experienced HR Advisor to join our dynamic team and support our schools and education settings.

This is not just a job; it’s a chance to make a real impact! You will play a vital role in providing day-to-day HR and employee relations support to school leaders and managers, ensuring that our HR advice is consistent, pragmatic, and compliant with the unique needs of the education sector.

Based in one of our hubs in Milton Keynes or Bromsgrove, you will enjoy the flexibility of hybrid working while engaging regularly with schools and occasionally traveling across the UK, including overnight stays when necessary.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact for HR and employee relations support for headteachers and school leadership teams.
• Lead employee relations cases, including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, and capability processes.
• Advise managers on absence management, performance concerns, and employee wellbeing.
• Manage employee lifecycle activities, such as maternity leave and flexible working requests.
• Support organisational change initiatives, including restructures and TUPE-related activities.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies and safeguarding standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the HR service and manage HR projects.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with school leaders as a professional HR partner.
• Maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism at all times.

About You:

You are an organized and confident HR professional who balances compliance with a practical, people-centered approach.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in HR and employee relations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise and influence school leaders.
• Ability to manage a high volume and varied caseload.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Full driving license and access to a vehicle.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience supporting schools or education settings.
• Experience in a multi-site or regional HR role.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards).
• Experience with complex or sensitive employee relations cases.

About Polaris:

We are Polaris, one of the UK’s leading communities of children’s service providers. For over 30 years, we have passionately improved the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, children’s residential homes, schools, and bespoke services.

Our nurturing community is dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care. We are ambitious for our children, families, and staff, believing in their futures.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your HR career and make a difference, we would love to hear from you!

Interviews will take place on-site in Milton Keynes or Bromsgrove, depending on candidates’ locations, during the week commencing 18th May.

Polaris is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment.