HR Manager in Cheshire, Warrington

Location: Openshaw, Manchester (multi-campus role)

Reporting to: Provost

Contract Type: Full-Time

ABOUT UK MANAGEMENT COLLEGE

UK Management College (UKMC) is committed to delivering high-quality education and fostering academic excellence. With a strong focus on innovation, inclusivity, and student success, we aim to empower learners to achieve their full potential and become future leaders.

Our values underpin everything we do:

• We value the student experience and student support
• We promote inclusivity, diversity and equity
• We work with innovation
• We behave with respect
• We expect integrity-led professional behaviour
• We foster environmental sustainability and social responsibility

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The HR Manager will lead the delivery of a high-quality, strategic HR service across the College, acting as a key partner to senior leadership. The role will take ownership of the HR function, ensuring that people strategies, policies and practices support organisational growth, compliance, and an outstanding employee experience. Working closely with the Provost, Executive Board and Heads of Departments, the postholder will drive workforce planning, organisational development, and a positive, inclusive culture aligned with the College’s values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic HR Leadership
  • Lead the HR function, providing both strategic direction and operational oversight
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Board on all people-related matters
  • Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organisational growth plans
  • Lead workforce planning, organisational design, and resource forecasting
  • Analyse HR data (turnover, absence, recruitment metrics) to inform decision-making
  • Drive continuous improvement in HR systems, processes, and employee experience
  • Support organisational change initiatives, including restructuring and expansion (UK and international operations)
• HR Advisory & Employee Relations
  • Provide expert HR advice and guidance to senior leadership, Heads of Departments and line managers
  • Lead complex and high-risk employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, capability, and probation
  • Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant application of policies and procedures
  • Promote positive employee relations within a unionised environment
• Recruitment & Workforce Planning
  • Oversee and continuously improve end-to-end recruitment processes across academic and professional services roles
  • Develop workforce planning strategies across multiple campuses
  • Partner with senior stakeholders on critical and hard-to-fill roles
  • Ensure compliance with safer recruitment practices, right-to-work checks, and equality legislation
  • Oversee onboarding, induction, probation, and mentoring frameworks
• HR Operations & Administration
  • Lead and develop the HR team to deliver a high-quality, responsive HR service
  • Oversee HR administration processes, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and GDPR compliance
  • Manage HR systems (e.g. Employment Hero) and drive system optimisation
  • Ensure effective management of HR inboxes, queries, and stakeholder communication
  • Review and improve HR workflows, documentation, and service standards
• Policy, Compliance & Governance
  • Lead the development and implementation of HR policies aligned with higher education and regulatory frameworks
  • Ensure compliance with UK employment law, GDPR, and internal governance requirements
  • Maintain audit readiness, including for regulatory and external reviews
  • Support equality reporting, benchmarking, and governance processes
• Compensation, Payroll & Benefits
  • Oversee the monthly payroll process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness
  • Liaise with managers on payroll inputs including overtime and contractual changes
  • Support salary benchmarking, pay structures, and budget planning
  • Ensure clear communication of employee benefits and entitlements
• Engagement, Equality & Wellbeing
  • Support and drive equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives
  • Contribute to staff engagement and wellbeing programmes
  • Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture aligned with organisational values
• General Responsibilities
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HR best practice and legislation
  • Support cross-functional initiatives and organisational projects
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards); Level 7 desirable
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience as HR Manager or similar role
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law
• Strong written, verbal, and report-writing skills
• Payroll knowledge and experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-site environment

Desirable

• Experience in Higher Education or public sector
• Understanding of academic contracts, probation, and fixed-term arrangements
• Experience with HR systems (e.g. Employment Hero)
• Experience supporting multi-site and/or international operations
• Knowledge of UK immigration and sponsorship compliance

WORKING HOURS & BENEFITS

Working Hours: 9:00am – 5:30pm

Full-time, on-site role (multi-campus as required)

Benefits include:

• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• On-site parking

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This role requires flexibility and the ability to respond to changing organisational needs. The postholder is expected to take a proactive approach to continuous improvement and contribute to the strategic development of the HR function.