Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
About Us
We are a growing education-based organisation committed to delivering outstanding education, early years provision and specialist support services. Operating across nurseries, schools and associated educational services, we are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where children, young people and staff can thrive.
We are seeking an experienced, strategic and people-focused Human Resources Manager to lead our Human Resources function and support the continued growth and success of the organisation.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Directors, the Human Resources Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of Human Resources. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of people strategies, ensure compliance with employment legislation, support organisational growth, and foster a positive, high-performing workplace culture.
The role is responsible for overseeing recruitment, employee relations, workforce planning, learning and development, performance management, HR compliance and organisational development while ensuring that the organisation meets all safeguarding, employment and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Human Resources function across the organisation.
- Develop and implement the organisation's People Strategy to support business objectives.
- Advise Directors and senior leaders on employment law, workforce planning and organisational development.
- Lead workforce planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels across all educational settings.
- Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including workforce planning, advertising, interviewing, selection and onboarding.
- Ensure recruitment processes comply with safer recruitment principles and statutory guidance.
- Oversee pre-employment checks, including Enhanced DBS, Right to Work, reference verification, qualification checks and identity verification.
- Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures in line with current legislation and best practice.
- Provide expert advice on disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance management and employee relations matters.
- Lead complex workplace investigations and prepare investigation reports.
- Support managers through formal employment processes and hearings.
- Oversee probationary reviews, performance management and appraisal systems.
- Develop strategies to improve employee engagement, retention and organisational culture.
- Lead learning and development initiatives, including leadership development and mandatory training programmes.
- Maintain and monitor the organisation's training matrix and compliance records.
- Manage sickness absence, Occupational Health referrals and employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Monitor workforce metrics, including turnover, absence, vacancies and recruitment performance, and present reports to senior leadership.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, equality legislation, UK GDPR and other relevant statutory requirements.
- Support organisational change, restructuring and workforce transformation projects.
- Oversee HR systems, personnel records and workforce data to ensure accuracy and confidentiality.
- Work collaboratively with finance, safeguarding, education and operational teams to support organisational objectives.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation.
- Build effective relationships with employees, managers, external agencies and professional advisers.
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Essential Requirements
- Degree in Human Resources, Business Management, Employment Law or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), or working towards an appropriate professional qualification.
- Significant experience in a senior Human Resources management role.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Proven experience managing employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
- Experience leading recruitment and workforce planning activities.
- Strong knowledge of safer recruitment practices and safeguarding requirements.
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to influence and build effective working relationships at all levels.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Experience using HR Information Systems (HRIS) and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- High level of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.
Desirable
- Minimum of CIPD Level 5 qualification.
- Experience within an education, nursery, school or multi-site organisation.
- Knowledge of Ofsted requirements, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
- Experience supporting organisational change and transformation programmes.
- Knowledge of workforce planning within regulated environments.
- Experience producing HR metrics, dashboards and management reports.
- Experience managing learning and development programmes and leadership development initiatives.
- Understanding of Skilled Worker sponsorship compliance and Right to Work processes.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Pension scheme.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Support for continuing professional development and professional memberships.
- A collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Access to ongoing training and leadership development programmes.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undergo appropriate pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity verification and Right to Work checks in accordance with current legislation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced Human Resources professional who is passionate about developing people, promoting best practice and supporting excellence within education, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Please submit your CV together with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £56,500.00-£58,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
