HR Manager

Location: Hybrid (Sale, Manchester)

Salary: £40,000 to £50,000

Reports to: Head of People Services

Line Management Responsibilities: The People team which consists of 3 People Partners and a Recruitment Lead, who manages a team of 2 Recruiters.

Overview: Training Qualifications UK, part of the AQA Group, is the fastest-growing Awarding Organisation in the UK and a market-leading Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation. We work with over 500 schools, colleges, universities, and training providers across the world to provide qualification certificates, endorsements, and apprenticeships to over 150,000 learners. Our people are our most important asset and the HR team work tirelessly to ensure that TQUK is a brilliant place to work and that we hire, retain, develop and recognise our talent appropriately. Due to growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a People Services Manager to lead our existing team.

The People Services team consists of 3 People Partners, who specialise in Employee Relations, and a Recruitment Lead, who manages a team of 2 recruiters. The job holder will be responsible for managing and developing this talented team. The Recruitment team are responsible for finding the very best talent for our permanent vacancies and also supports the recruitment process for our large bank of external freelancers that deliver our services. You will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of this recruitment. This is an excellent opportunity to join the organisation and lead the team in delivering the people strategy, ensuring the company can achieve its wider strategic objectives.

TQUK is entering a period of significant growth. A key priority for the coming year is to further develop our policies, practices and culture so that colleagues feel valued, are able to perform at their best, and enjoy a consistent, positive experience throughout their employment journey. The People Services Manager will play a central role in delivering these priorities. As part of the Management Team, the postholder will also contribute to the overall operational success of both the team and the wider organisation.

This is a broad HR generalist role. While you will have a team supporting delivery, you will also take ownership of more complex, higher-level operational work. You will be responsible for ensuring employees are equipped to carry out their roles effectively, and that all people processes are managed in a fair, consistent and legally compliant way. A key focus will be on fostering a positive working environment, building strong employee relations, and maintaining high levels of engagement and satisfaction.

Key responsibilities:

• Team Management: Line Management responsibility for the team including holding regular team meetings, completing 1 2 1’s and setting meaningful objectives. Development of the team through coaching, knowledge sharing and demonstration of what ‘good looks like’ in a high performing HR team.
• Setting, managing and reviewing Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) across the team ensuring excellent service provision in line with team capacity.
• Working closely with the Head of People Services to deliver objectives in line with the People Strategy, turning strategic plans into meaningful operational action.
• Ensure the People Services Team are ‘fit for growth’, developing the team, ensuring all policy, procedure and process is scalable as we grow and drive efficiencies across the entire function.
• Employee Life Cycle: Responsible for overseeing the recruitment of new employees ensuring that new vacancies are identified and recruited in a timely and cost-effective manner. Ensuring that all applicants have a good experience and impression of the Company regardless of whether they are successful in their application or otherwise. Responsible for overseeing the onboarding process of new hires.
• Policy & Compliance: Ensuring that all employee related policies and procedures are up to date, legally compliant, fit for purpose and communicated to employees.
• Reward: Developing and managing the employee reward strategy, including managing the annual salary review process ensuring that salaries and benefits are fair and competitive.
• Performance Development: Responsible for the ongoing development and management of the Company Performance Development process.
• Employee Engagement: Regularly seek the views of employees both informally and through formal systems such as our annual employee engagement survey Gallup.
• Employee Relations: Responsible for overseeing all guidance and interventions, supporting the People Partner (ER) and working with staff and managers to ensure good employee relations.
• Learning and Development: Supporting our Learning and Development strategy which is to ‘create a culture of learning and development of all employees’ that supports the needs of the business.
• HR Reporting: Report monthly on key HR data including sickness rates, attrition, holidays etc.
• Other responsibilities: Brief Head of People Services, and the full management team on HR related issues. Ensure all aspects of GDPR are adhered to in relation to the processing of employee data.

Key requirements:

• Proven experience of working in a similar role for a significant period.
• Experience working for a SME would be beneficial.
• Experience of working as a HR generalist is essential.
• CIPD Qualified Level 5 minimum, level 7 preferred or apprenticeship alternative.
• A good understanding of current employment law is essential.
• Ability to work in a busy fast-paced environment with good organisation and prioritising skills.
• Excellent IT skills proficient in Microsoft office package.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional organisation and prioritisation skills.

Key characteristics:

• Good problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to think outside of the box.
• Flexibility: no two days will look the same and you must be comfortable working on multiple things at once.
• Good relationship building skills.
• Ability to influence.
• Diplomatic, sensible, practical and empathic.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.
• Good attention to detail.
• Supportive, we value looking after each other.
• Sense of humour: we try and have fun in everything that we do.

Key Benefits:

• Training, Qualifications & Apprenticeships.
• Company sick pay upon completion of probation.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days Bank Holiday (33 in total).
• Additional annual leave day each year, after 2 years of continuous service (up to 28 days).
• An extra day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Annual Loyalty Bonus.
• Annual salary review.
• Bupa healthcare benefits.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• NEST pension.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• A positive and supportive working environment.
• Comprehensive onboarding.
• A workplace that supports a healthy work/life balance.

*We are an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any additional support during the recruitment process due to a disability, please contact us so we can assist you.*