People Partner

People Partner

Full-Time 39561 - 43356 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
The Trafford College Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support and advise on employee relations, mentoring and developing HR professionals.
  • Company: Join Trafford & Stockport College Group, a community-focused organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 40 days leave, generous pension, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experiences and shape the future of our organisation.
  • Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 or equivalent experience in HR or People Partner roles.

The predicted salary is between 39561 - 43356 £ per year.

Hours: 36.25 hours per week

Salary Scale: £39,561 - £43,356

Location: All campus locations

We are looking for an experienced People Partner to deliver a proactive, high-quality people partnering service across the Group. This is a pivotal role, working closely with managers and People & Culture colleagues to embed best practice, lead on employee relations and organisational change, and strengthen leadership and people management capability. You will operate as a trusted advisor, balancing operational delivery with strategic insight to support a positive, consistent and fair employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide expert advice and hands-on support on employee relations casework, ensuring consistency, fairness and compliance with employment legislation and organisational policy.
  • Lead on employee relations matters where required, including investigations, hearings, appeals and negotiations, while coaching People Advisors, People Officers and managers through sensitive and challenging issues.
  • Mentor, support and develop People Advisors and People Officers, building confidence and capability in best practice, policy application and effective case management.
  • Support organisational change, workforce planning and restructuring activity, embedding our People First commitments and People & Culture best practice within agreed client areas.
  • Work collaboratively with the Talent Development Partner to identify and deliver opportunities that strengthen leadership capability and effective people management across the organisation.
  • Partner with managers, trade unions and external stakeholders to support meaningful consultation and the effective delivery of people initiatives within a unionised environment.
  • Contribute to People & Culture priorities and initiatives aligned to our strategy and Deal for Colleagues, with a focus on wellbeing, engagement and voice, inclusion and belonging.

What We Are Looking For:

  • CIPD Level 7 qualification (or demonstrable equivalent knowledge and experience).
  • Significant experience in a senior HR or People Partner role within a large, complex or unionised organisation, with a strong track record of leading complex employee relations casework.
  • Confidence operating in a business partnering model, influencing and constructively challenging stakeholders, and using insight and data to drive improvement.
  • Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice, with evidence of ongoing professional development.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, sound judgement, and a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our Values: Ambitious | Resilient | Collaborative | Inclusive | Respectful

If you are passionate about people, thrive in a collaborative environment, and want to help shape the future of our organisation, we would love to hear from you! Apply today and be part of something extraordinary.

Why Join Us?

  • Be part of a dynamic and evolving department that values innovation and inclusivity.
  • Collaborate with a diverse team of professionals dedicated to making a positive impact.
  • Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and development.

Exceptional Benefits Package:

  • 40 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
  • Generous company pension contribution 20.8%
  • Onsite Costa Coffee & Subsidies staff canteen
  • Employee Assistance Programme that extends the supports to your family members
  • Tailored Professional Development plan
  • Free onsite Parking

All employees, including senior managers, will normally be appointed to the minimum point of the pay grade for the job. In certain cases, it may be appropriate to appoint to a higher point in the pay grade at the discretion of the Director of HR & Performance due to the candidate's current salary, experience or qualifications.

Trafford & Stockport College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and expects all staff to share this commitment. Employment at Trafford & Stockport College Group is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Check via the Disclosure and Barring Service and any post in regulated activity will also be subject to an additional barred list check. The Group will meet the costs associated with this.

Please note that Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 requires us to carry out an online search as part of our due diligence on successful candidates. The role is open to direct applicants only.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive we are unfortunately not able to respond to each applicant. If you have not been called for interview within 3 weeks of the closing date, you should assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

This role may close early please submit your application early to avoid disappointment.

People Partner employer: The Trafford College Group

At Trafford & Stockport College Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and professional growth. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration among a diverse team, while our generous benefits package, including 40 days of annual leave and tailored professional development plans, ensures that every employee feels valued and supported in their journey to make a meaningful impact in the community.
The Trafford College Group

Contact Detail:

The Trafford College Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land People Partner

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in similar organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how you embody their principles, especially around inclusion and collaboration. We want to see that you’re a great fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience with employee relations and organisational change. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it counts!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at TSCG.

We think you need these skills to ace People Partner

CIPD Level 7 qualification
Employee Relations Expertise
Coaching and Mentoring Skills
Knowledge of UK Employment Law
HR Best Practice
Business Partnering Model
Stakeholder Management
Data-Driven Decision Making
Communication Skills
Relationship-Building Skills
Organisational Change Management
Workforce Planning
Negotiation Skills
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a People Partner. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, especially in employee relations and organisational change.

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value collaboration and inclusivity, so share examples of how you've fostered these values in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application directly through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Trafford College Group

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and HR best practices. Given the role's focus on employee relations, being able to discuss recent changes or case studies will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also proactive in your professional development.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed complex employee relations cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

This role requires working closely with managers and colleagues. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered collaboration in previous positions. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring or coaching others, as this aligns well with the responsibilities of a People Partner.

✨Align with Their Values

Familiarise yourself with the organisation's values: Ambitious, Resilient, Collaborative, Inclusive, and Respectful. Think of ways you've embodied these values in your work and be prepared to share those stories during the interview to demonstrate cultural fit.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>