HR Business Partner

Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of diverse yet connected schools, spanning seventeen different countries. We share one common purpose: to deliver an outstanding holistic education that will enable our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States, we employ 18,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 90,000 students.

Our schools provide a truly holistic education based on rich and varied experiences that focus on social, emotional, physical and cognitive learning. This results in excellent academic outcomes for our students, who are also equipped with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes to set them up for success in our fast changing world.

We have an exciting position for a Human Resources Business Partner. The HR Business Partner ensures a pro-active and technically strong HR Service, advises the School SLT and is responsible of legal compliance and the implementation of best practices. Together with Corporate and School Management, the HRBP develops the HR strategy and the talent development plan across the school enhancing high levels of satisfaction within the staff.

Their main responsibilities include:

Management:

• Ensure all staff members comply with the HR standards, even providing first line advice to Headteacher and Business Manager.
• Implement the management strategy defined by the Head of HR with the Business Manager and the Headteacher.
• Provide support to Business Manager in the analysis and actions required and generated via the Voice of the Employee survey.
• Keep up to date school policies according to the current Cognita Policies.

Community:

• Coordinate the required recruitment in collaboration with the Senior Leadership team.
• Coordinate and organise induction of new employees.
• Forge effective relationships and fluid communication with the staff members assist in the offboarding process, conducting exit interviews and handling necessary paperwork.
• Establish solid partnership agreements with institutions that can add value and sustainability.

Benefits & Payroll Administration:

• Support the benefits enrolment process and provide information to employees regarding benefit programs.
• Supervise the payroll calculation and payment process, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Incidents and absence control.

Employee Relations:

• Maintain good Employee Relationships within the school via regular customer service relationship management, ensuring that Headteacher and Business Manager agreed that all issues of dispute are solved promptly and with a successful outcome, adding knowledge and understanding as part of the process.
• Provide hands-on support for Compromise Agreements and Employment Court.

Training and Development:

• Detect and implement training needs for all staff members in collaboration with the Head and the Business Manager.

Administrative Support:

• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of the Human Resources department’s budget.
• Prepare periodic reports / briefings on HR metrics, such as staff turnover and job satisfaction.

About You

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, capacity for analysis, high commitment with the company´s objectives and values, and strong communication skills.

You have strong work ethic and accountability. You will be a self-starter who can operate with autonomy and learn quickly.

Previous Experience:

• Sound knowledge/ experience of generalist HR policy, procedures & best practices.
• At least 3 years of experience managing the HR Department.
• Flexibility
• Capacity for analysis.
• Customer Focus: Listening and satisfying customer needs.
• High level of spoken and written English and Spanish.
• Permanent full-time contract.
• Free lunch at school.

Diversity and Inclusion We believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair, inclusive and equitable in our recruitment process.

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and completed application form to: Kelly Ainsworth at . Please note we do not accept CVs without a fully completed application form.

EARLY APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW AND APPOINT PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE FOR THE RIGHT APPLICANT.

Applicants who have not heard from us by the closing date must assume that, on this occasion, their application has been unsuccessful.