Job Description
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Salary: £60,000 + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits
Hours: 37 (full-time)
Contract:Fixed-term maternity cover for up to 12 months
Start date:As soon as possible
Hybrid working: typically three days on site, two days remote
Base location: Lift New Rickstones, Witham, Essex with regular travel across Essex schools
A role where your impact is felt every day
At Lift Schools, we believe every child deserves an excellent education. Behind every great school is a strong, supported team and that's where you come in.
We are looking for a senior HR business partner toto provide maternity cover and lead people strategy across our East region. This is a high-impact role supporting 12 schools in Essex, working directly with principals and regional leaders to build positive, inclusive cultures where colleagues thrive and pupils succeed.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional, interim HR consultant, or senior HR generalist looking for a meaningful, values-driven role within a growing national trust.
What you'll be doing
Lead HR across the region
- provide strategic and operational HR leadership across 12 schools
- lead, coach and develop a team of HR advisors and coordinators
- work closely with the lead HR business partner and head of HR services to deliver a consistent, high-quality service
Be the expert on complex people matters
- manage high-level employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability
- lead on safeguarding and child protection-related investigations
- offer clear, confident and balanced advice in sensitive situations
Partner with leaders to drive improvement
- support organisational change, restructures and workforce planning
- contribute to Ofsted readiness and follow-up activity
- build trusted relationships with school and regional leaders
- bring practical, solutions-focused thinking to complex challenges
About you
You bring credibility, sound judgement and a calm, confident approach.
You might come from education, local government or another large, complex organisation. What matters most is your ability to lead, influence and deliver.
You will:
- have strong experience in HR, including complex employee relations
- be confident handling safeguarding-related cases
- have experience working across multiple sites or services
- build trust quickly with senior leaders
- support and develop others within a team
- stay organised and focused in a fast-paced environment
We also welcome applicants with transferable experience from large organisations or consultancy backgrounds who are ready to bring their expertise into education.
Join us and help shape what's possible
This is more than a maternity cover. It's an opportunity to step into a senior role, lead with purpose and make a lasting impact across a region.
Early applications are encouraged. We review applications as they come in.
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 59 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 and travel deals.
If you'd like to find our more and have an informal confidential conversation, please contact recruitment@liftschools.org
Closing Date:Friday 15th May 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.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Information about the School
Every child has immeasurable potential. It is our job to help realise it.
We believe every child deserves the best education possible, regardless of background, geography or ability. We want to see them fulfil their potential – at school and beyond.
Who is Lift Schools?
Our trust is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country – from Middlesbrough in the north to Devon in the west, Essex in the east and the Isle of Wight in the south. The majority of our schools are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.