People Business Partner
Maiden Erlegh Trust, Reading, RG6 7HS3 days remaining to apply
Start date details
ASAP
Closing date
3 November 2025 at 10:59pm
Date listed
10 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £46,141.00 - £51,357.00 Annually (FTE) Grade 9, 37 hours per week, all year round
People Business Partner job summary
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking People Business Partner to help shape how our Trust attracts, develops and retains great people.
This is a strategic and hands-on role that partners with school leaders to strengthen leadership, performance and culture. You will act as a trusted advisor and coach, shaping workforce planning, developing talent pipelines, and embedding a collaborative ‘One Trust’ culture. Working closely with the Maiden Erlegh Institute, you will also help align professional development with workforce priorities — supporting every colleague to perform, develop and thrive.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Partnership and Culture
Implement the people strategy at school level, ensuring alignment with our Trust’s vision, values and priorities.
Partner with Headteachers and Leadership Teams to build inclusive, high-performing cultures.
Act as a coach and trusted advisor, offering constructive challenge to support effective leadership.
Lead or contribute to organisational design and change activity to ensure the right structures and skills are in place.
Workforce Planning and Development
Develop sustainable talent and succession plans, working closely with other People Business Partners and the Maiden Erlegh Institute.
Support workforce and resource planning, including FTE management and vacancy control with the Finance Business Partner.
Deliver training and development interventions, including those linked to MEI and cross-Trust CPD.
Contribute to workload and wellbeing initiatives that enhance engagement and retention.
Operational Excellence
Advise on employee relations matters, drawing on central HR expertise as needed.
Facilitate cyclical processes such as appraisals and pay reviews.
Support and implement central People initiatives, ensuring consistency across schools.
Lead ad hoc HR projects and provide insight to inform future strategy.
The role is hybrid, working at our Shared Services site on a regular basis, with travel to schools within our Trust as required.
The Ideal Candidate
Professional Expertise
Has proven experience of business partnering with senior leadership teams.
Understands the full employee lifecycle, with broad knowledge of employment law, HR practice and policy.
Is IT-confident, with strong skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and HRIS platforms.
Leadership and Influence
Builds strong, credible relationships and is comfortable offering constructive challenge and support.
Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Uses sound judgement, discretion and clear analytical thinking to resolve complex issues.
Approach and Mindset
Can work with pace and flexibility, handling ambiguity and shifting priorities with confidence.
Is proactive, solution-focused and committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
Understands the education environment, including the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
Is committed to their own professional development and reflective practice.
About Maiden Erlegh Trust
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing, dynamic and collaborative community of schools committed to providing exceptional education for children and young people. We currently comprise nine schools across primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision settings, serving diverse communities in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, we offer an extensive professional development programme, from teacher training and early career support to leadership and specialist CPD. The Institute also leads the Annual MET Conference, a day bringing all colleagues together to share expertise, learn from national voices, and celebrate collective achievement.
You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust here on our website.
Benefits
Further information about staff benefits at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.
Annual Leave: Generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.
ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
Pension Scheme: All employees have access to our excellent Pension Scheme providing generous employer contributions.
Hybrid Working: For eligible roles, we support a flexible approach to working arrangements, balancing remote and office-based work where appropriate.
Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.
Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.
Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community. Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger, supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
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If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are also committed to being ambitious for all and supporting everyone to reach their full potential. All employees of the Trust are expected to share these commitments. All posts require satisfactory employment checks and references and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Maiden Erlegh Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Website
- Maiden Erlegh Trust website
Mixed multi-academy trust serving communities across Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. Primary, Secondary, Special and Alternative Provision.
Head office location
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