Overview
We are seeking an experienced People & Culture Business Partner with a strong background in employee relations case management, manager coaching, and people development. This role will be pivotal in supporting leaders across the College to build management capability, drive positive employee relations outcomes, and foster a high-performing, inclusive culture.
The successful candidate will have significant experience managing complex employee relations cases within a unionised environment, providing expert advice on conduct, capability, grievance, absence, and organisational change matters. They will also be passionate about developing managers through coaching, training delivery, and practical guidance that improves confidence, consistency, and compliance in people management practices.
Alongside these core responsibilities, the role will contribute to workforce planning, organisational development, and the use of people data and insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Employee Relations & Case Management
- Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, absence management, flexible working and organisational change matters.
- Provide expert, pragmatic advice to managers on employment legislation, policies, procedures and best practice.
- Support and coach managers through formal processes, hearings, investigations and appeals.
- Ensure cases are managed consistently, fairly and within agreed timescales while mitigating organisational risk.
- Build positive relationships with Trade Union representatives and support consultation and negotiation activities where required.
- Analyse case trends and recommend proactive interventions to reduce ER issues and improve organisational performance.
- Manager Capability & Training
- Design, develop and deliver engaging people management training programmes for managers and leaders.
- Deliver workshops on key topics including performance management, absence management, conducting investigations, difficult conversations, employee wellbeing and managing change.
- Coach managers to increase confidence, capability and accountability in managing people issues effectively.
- Develop practical guidance, toolkits, resources and learning materials that support effective people management.
- Identify capability gaps through data, feedback and organisational insight and implement targeted development solutions.
- Strategic People Partnering
- Partner with leaders to support workforce planning, organisational design, succession planning and change initiatives.
- Use workforce metrics and people insights to identify trends and inform decision-making.
- Support the development and implementation of People & Culture strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
- Contribute to engagement, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives across the College.
About You
Essential Experience
- Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases from end to end.
- Strong experience advising managers within a unionised and highly regulated environment.
- Proven track record of designing and delivering management development and people management training.
- Experience coaching and influencing managers at all levels.
- Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
Essential Skills
- Exceptional case management and investigation skills.
- Strong facilitation, presentation and training delivery capability.
- Ability to build credibility and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent communication, coaching and relationship management skills.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends and use data to inform recommendations.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and complex workloads.
Success Measures
- Timely and effective resolution of employee relations cases.
- Increased manager capability and confidence in people management.
- Reduction in repeat ER issues and employee relations risk.
- Positive stakeholder feedback on People & Culture support and training.
- Improved employee engagement, wellbeing and retention outcomes.
Benefits
- Membership of the Local Government Pension
- Up to 45 days annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays and college closure dates)
- Opportunities for career progression and personal development
- Access a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits (including Cycle to Work, Bike Shop, Home & Electronics Lifestyle Saves and Employee Assistance Programme)
Why Join Us?
You’ll be joining a supportive and collaborative team where your contribution will directly support colleagues across the organisation. This role offers the opportunity to develop your payroll and finance expertise while contributing to meaningful operational improvements. If you are highly organised, analytical and passionate about delivering accurate payroll and finance support, we’d love to hear from you.
