At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategies and enhance employee experience across the college.
- Company: Join UK Management College, a hub for innovation and academic excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and a company pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student success and foster an inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years of HR management experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and strategic development.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
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.
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
- 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
- Oversee and continuously improve end-to-end recruitment processes across academic and professional services roles
- Develop workforce planning strategies across multiple campuses
- Ensure compliance with safer recruitment practices, right-to-work checks, and equality legislation
- Oversee onboarding, induction, probation, and mentoring frameworks
- 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. Ensure effective management of HR inboxes, queries, and stakeholder communication
- Review and improve HR workflows, documentation, and service standards
- 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
- Liaise with managers on payroll inputs including overtime and contractual changes
- 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
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of HR best practice and legislation
- Support cross-functional initiatives and organisational projects
Minimum 3–5 years’ experience as HR Manager or similar role. Strong written, verbal, and report-writing skills. Payroll knowledge and experience. Understanding of academic contracts, probation, and fixed-term arrangements. Experience with HR systems (e.g. Knowledge of UK immigration and sponsorship compliance. Full-time, on-site role (multi-campus as required). Company pension. Private medical insurance. On-site parking.
The postholder is expected to take a proactive approach to continuous improvement and contribute to the strategic development of the HR function.
Locations
HR Manager - Legal in Cheshire, Warrington employer: UK Management College
Contact Detail:
UK Management College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager - Legal in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in education. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching UK Management College's values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of inclusivity and student success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios you might face in the interview. Think about how you'd handle complex employee relations cases or develop workforce planning strategies, and be ready to share your thought process.
✨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 proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager - Legal in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Manager role. Highlight your experience in strategic HR leadership and employee relations, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our values at UK Management College!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about HR and how you can contribute to fostering an inclusive culture at UKMC. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's improving recruitment processes or enhancing employee engagement, we want to know how you've made a difference!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at UK Management College!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Management College
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into UK Management College's mission and values. Understand their commitment to inclusivity and student success, and think about how your experience aligns with these principles. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the culture.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As an HR Manager, you'll need to provide strategic direction. Prepare examples of how you've previously developed and implemented HR strategies that supported organisational growth. Be ready to discuss specific metrics or outcomes that resulted from your initiatives.
✨Be Ready for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions about handling complex employee relations cases. Think of real-life examples where you successfully navigated disciplinary actions or grievances. Highlight your approach to ensuring fairness and compliance, especially in a unionised environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the current challenges the HR team faces or how they measure the success of their HR initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the college is the right fit for you.