People and Culture Business Partner

Join a Community Where Everyone Feels They Belong at The Sigma Trust Are you a passionate individual who holds high expectations and aims for excellence? Are you ready to use your skills to ensure that across our Trust, every colleague feels they truly belong? As a People and Culture Business Partner, you won't just join the community - you will help define it. At The Sigma Trust, we are a forward-thinking family of 12 academies across North East Essex, serving over 11,500 pupils. Our founding philosophy - that we are "Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts" is the principle that guides every decision we make. We believe that we are stronger and more successful working together, ensuring that no child is left behind. We’re looking for a People and Culture Business Partner to join our fantastic team and become a vital link between our central vision and our schools. This is a role for a practitioner who thrives on variety. You will provide high-level operational support to our schools, leading on complex employee relations and casework with integrity and empathy, while working directly with Trust Leaders and the Director of People and Culture to design and implement the strategies that define our future. This is a full-time position, offering a 37-hour working week across the full calendar year (52 weeks). The successful candidate will be based at the Trust’s head office at Tendring Education Centre in Clacton, with regular travel to our schools to provide on-site partnership and support. A Day in the Life: You'll be responsible for bringing your passion and expertise to the following areas: Act as the principal advisor on all matters relating to people management, calling on and using the Director of People and Culture as a point of escalation when required. Build strong relationships with senior leaders, Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers to support, coach and guide them in the effective management of all people matters. Work with the Director of People and Culture, Trust senior leaders and the People & Culture team in supporting the implementation of the Trust’s People Strategy. Work with the Director of People and Culture in designing and delivering innovative organisational development solutions in response to workforce needs, such as improving employee engagement, diversity and equality initiatives, wellbeing initiatives, recruitment and retention solutions and succession planning. Support the Director of People and Culture to ensure that the Trust’s People & Culture policies and procedures are up to date and fit for purpose. Support the People & Culture team in ensuring safer recruitment practices are robust and in place. Provide expert support and advice to managers in relation to casework in line with Trust policies and procedures, while ensuring adherence to relevant employment law. Be the People & Culture representative to disciplinary panels up to and including the level of dismissal and appeal