At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop people strategies while navigating complex HR issues.
- Company: Join a collaborative HR team at City College Norwich.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how the college supports its people.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified with strong employee relations experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence organisational development and engage with external HR networks.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced People Partner to join our HR Services team and work closely with leaders across the college to shape how we support, develop and manage our people. This is a broad and influential role for an HR professional who enjoys combining strong employee relations expertise with strategic workforce thinking. You will partner with managers in allocated areas, helping them navigate complex people issues while also contributing to longer-term organisational development and the delivery of our People Strategy.
Responsibilities
- Acting as a trusted HR partner to leaders and managers, offering pragmatic, balanced advice
- Leading on employee relations casework including performance, attendance, disciplinary and grievance matters
- Supporting managers through change, including restructuring, workforce planning and organisational design
- Coaching and developing leaders to build confidence and capability in people management
- Using data and insight to inform decisions and improve outcomes
- Working constructively with Trade Unions to maintain positive employee relations
- Engaging with external HR networks, benchmarking best practice and bringing new ideas back into the organisation
- Taking an active role in shaping and delivering elements of the People Strategy
Qualifications and profile
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (or above) with solid, hands-on HR experience
- Strong experience of employee relations in a complex or unionised environment
- Enjoys building relationships and influencing at all levels
- Can balance empathy with sound judgement and organisational priorities
- Is curious, commercially aware and committed to continuous improvement
- Wants a role where they can have real impact, not just provide advice from the sidelines
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a collaborative HR team that values professionalism, fairness and curiosity. You’ll have the space to think, the backing to challenge constructively, and the opportunity to influence how the college supports its people now and in the future. If you’re looking for a People Partner role where relationships, judgement and values genuinely matter, we’d love to hear from you.
Closing date: Wednesday 4 February 2026 at Midnight
Interviews Thursday 19th February 2026
As a College we are required to undertake various Safer Recruitment checks as set out within the guidance from the Department for Education Keeping Child Safe in Education. We require all staff to undertake an enhanced Adult and Child Workforce DBS Check and to register with the DBS Update Service.
People Partner. Job in United Kingdom Education & Training Jobs in London employer: City College Norwich
Contact Detail:
City College Norwich Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner. Job in United Kingdom Education & Training Jobs in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and HR sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the college’s values and recent initiatives. Think about how your experience aligns with their People Strategy. Practise common interview questions and come armed with examples that showcase your employee relations expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your personality! During interviews, let your passion for people management shine through. Be authentic and engage with your interviewers. They want to see how you’ll fit into their collaborative HR team, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner. Job in United Kingdom Education & Training Jobs in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People Partner role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and strategic workforce thinking, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your qualifications; give us examples of how you've successfully navigated complex people issues in the past. Use specific situations to demonstrate your hands-on HR experience and your ability to influence at all levels.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value professionalism, fairness, and curiosity, so share your passion for HR and how you can make a real impact in our organisation. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at City College Norwich
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a People Partner. Brush up on employee relations, performance management, and organisational design. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully navigated complex people issues or led change initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your impact.
✨Build Rapport
Remember, this role is all about relationships! During the interview, engage with your interviewers, ask thoughtful questions, and demonstrate your ability to connect with others. This will showcase your interpersonal skills, which are crucial for a People Partner.
✨Be Data-Savvy
Since the role involves using data to inform decisions, be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data in previous positions. Bring examples of how you’ve leveraged insights to improve outcomes, and don’t shy away from discussing any tools or systems you’re familiar with.