Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned company that operates eight nurseries in the South Coast. Our purpose is to ensure children have the best start in life through outstanding education and care. At Pumpkin Patch we aim to create an environment where children can achieve, belong and thrive. We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia and Scandinavian Forest School approaches and are looking for someone who shares the same passion.
We are seeking a HR People Manager who will play a key role in nurturing a positive, supportive, and engaging workplace culture across our nurseries and central teams during a period of maternity cover. Working closely with managers and colleagues, they will deliver a proactive and high-quality people service, supporting employees throughout every stage of their journey with us.
The role is responsible for helping our teams thrive by providing expert guidance on employee relations, wellbeing, performance, and people development, while ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice. The HR People Manager will build strong relationships, offer practical and compassionate advice, and contribute to creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered to provide exceptional care and learning experiences for children and families.
The role requires: a minimum Level 3 HR CIPD qualification, Recent experience in a generalist HR Officer, Manager, People Manager, or HR Business Partner role, significant experience managing employee relations cases and the ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
What we offer
- Paid breaks
- 30% Discounted childcare
- Annual pay enhancements
- Real living wage employer
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Bonus and voucher schemes
- Company-funded qualifications
- Flexibility to manage personal rota
- Summer and Christmas social events
- Christmas to new years off every year
- Charity of the year and fundraising activities
- Mental health and wellbeing representatives
- Paid overtime up to 5 hours per week then TOIL
- In-house workshops for continuous development
Roles and responsibilities
- Provide expert advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, and flexible working requests.
- Manage complex employee relations cases through to resolution.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and company policies.
- Support investigations, hearings, and appeals where required.
- Champion employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Support engagement surveys and action planning.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
- Act as a point of contact for employee concerns and feedback.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and staff suitability processes, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment requirements.
- Support payroll, annual salary reviews and benefits administration where applicable.
- Support managers in delivering effective performance management processes.
- Assist in identifying learning and development needs across the organisation.
- Promote talent development and succession planning initiatives.
At Pumpkin Patch Nurseries, safeguarding is our top priority. We are committed to promoting the welfare of all children and expect our staff to share this dedication. This position is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced DBS.
This job description is intended to give you an indication of the main duties but is not meant to be an exhaustive list.
Main terms and conditions
POST TITLE: HR People Manager
REPORTING TO: Operations Director
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months - Maternity cover). Ideal start date: September 2026.
HOURS: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Hybrid working may be available following successful completion of the probationary period, subject to business needs
LOCATION: Head Office, Shoreham By Sea / All nurseries between Brighton, Worthing and Steyning.
SALARY: Up to £40,000 per annum
Safeguarding
Pumpkin Patch Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and ensures all staff and volunteers share this commitment. Pumpkin Patch have robust safeguarding and safer recruitment policies and procedures to ensure all positions are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunities employer.
The position for which you are applying involves contact with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all subsequent amendments (England and Wales). For this position you are not entitled to withhold information about police cautions and convictions that have been made against you. Including any that would otherwise be considered ‘spent’ under the Act.
For further information
Please contact Hayley Cooper on 01273 101804 for further information or an application form. CV’s will not be accepted.
Pay: Up to £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Have you ever worked in a nursery or school setting?
- Do you have a Level 3 CIPD qualification or higher in HR?
- How many years experience do you have in a HR related position?
Work Location: In person
