HR Adviser

We are looking for a HR Adviser to join our Education, Partnerships and Skills team on a 37 hours, term time only (39 weeks + 2 additional weeks) permanent contract, based in Taunton.

We’re a hugely ambitious council, committed to improving lives for the residents, communities and businesses of Somerset.

And that’s why we’re working so hard to build a sustainable organisation with a culture that rewards, values and recognises our staff, and gives everyone here the opportunity to grow and develop, personally and professionally.

If you’re looking for a place where you work truly matters – where YOU truly matter – we might be just right for you.

We also promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.

We are a highly experienced team of professional HR Advisors who support Head Teachers, School Leaders and Governors/Trustees by providing an effective HR Service that meets the day to day and strategic needs of our schools and academies in Somerset and across the borders.

Following a recent restructure, we have an exciting opportunity to join our team of HR professionals and work with our schools and academies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the children and young people in our educational settings

We’re working to improve the lives of children in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Providing expert HR advice, guidance and support to school leaders to enable them to manage all aspects of the employment relationship

• Ensuring school leaders are compliant in fulfilling their contractual and statutory responsibilities in relation to employment legislation

• Supporting schools leaders and governor panels at formal hearings

• Delivery of HR training

• Review and development of HR policies and procedures

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you have proven experience of working in a HR environment, ideally in educational settings but not essential, experience of advising on complex HR casework, up to date knowledge of relevant HR legislation and recognised best practice and experience of working in a unionised environment with a resolution focus.

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.

• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave

• Staff discounts in gyms.

• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.

• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.

• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.

• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

The salary for the role is Grade 10, ranging from £32,909 to £34,143 per annum

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Sam Simmons, Education Leadership Advisory Service Manager, at Samantha.simmons@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will be held at County Hall, Taunton on 28th February 2023

From 1 April 2023 the County and District councils in Somerset will be replaced by a new single unitary authority – Somerset Council. It’s an exciting time to join us as we work together with the four district councils to deliver the new council for Somerset.

We'd love the opportunity to arrange and hold interviews ahead of the closing date for suitable candidates. If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button. We can’t wait to hear from you!