Join Our Team as an HR Advisor!

Position: HR Advisor - Full Time, Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes / Bromsgrove

Salary: Up to £32,500 per annum (dependent on experience)

Why Choose Us?

At Polaris, we are on a mission to transform the lives of children and young people. As we continue to grow our education provision, we are looking for a proactive and experienced HR Advisor to join our dynamic team. This is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to make a real difference!

What We Offer:

• 30 days of annual leave, increasing to 35 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Life insurance (2x salary)
• Employee discount scheme
• Free on-site parking

Your Role:

As an HR Advisor, you will play a vital role in supporting our schools and education settings. You will provide day-to-day HR and employee relations support, ensuring that our advice is consistent, pragmatic, and compliant with education sector expectations.

This position is based in one of our hubs in Milton Keynes or Bromsgrove, with the flexibility of hybrid working. You will engage regularly with schools and may occasionally travel across the UK, including overnight stays when necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide first-line HR and employee relations support to 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, including maternity leave, flexible working requests, and occupational health referrals.
• Support organisational change within schools, including restructures and TUPE-related activities.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures, maintaining safeguarding and regulatory standards.
• Contribute to HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• 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 organised and confident HR professional who balances compliance with a practical, people-centred approach. Your ability to manage a high volume of varied cases while maintaining excellent attention to detail will set you apart.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven HR and employee relations experience.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise and influence school leaders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Full driving licence 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 one of the UK’s leading communities of children’s service providers, dedicated to improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. Our community includes independent fostering and adoption agencies, children’s residential homes, schools, and bespoke children’s services.

We believe in the potential of every child and young person, and we are ambitious for their futures. If you share our passion and commitment, we would love to hear from you!

Next Steps:

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

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