Join Our Team as an HR Advisor!

Are you an experienced HR professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the education sector? At Polaris, we are on the lookout for a proactive HR Advisor to support our schools and education settings. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career within a purpose-led organization that truly values its people.

Location & Salary

Location: Milton Keynes / Bromsgrove

Salary: Up to £32,500 per annum, depending on experience

Why Join Us?

• 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 key role in our growing HR function, providing day-to-day HR and employee relations support to school leaders and managers. Your expertise will ensure that we deliver consistent, pragmatic, and compliant HR advice aligned with the expectations of the education sector.

This role 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 and flexible working requests.
• Support organisational change, including restructures and TUPE-related activities.
• Ensure HR compliance and due diligence, maintaining safeguarding and regulatory standards.
• Review and implement HR policies and procedures tailored for school environments.
• 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 organized and confident HR professional who balances compliance with a practical, people-centered approach. You thrive in dynamic environments and are eager to support school leaders in achieving their goals.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven HR and employee relations experience.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise and influence.
• 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

At Polaris, we are one of the UK’s largest 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.

We believe in the potential of every child and young person, and we are ambitious for their futures. If you share our commitment to making a difference, 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 18th May.

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