HR Assistant Director in London

VCAD is looking for an experienced and commercially minded HR Assistant Manager to lead our people function across a growing, multi-campus higher education provider. This is a broad and influential role combining strategic HR leadership with hands-on delivery. You will lead a small HR team, advise senior leaders and managers, shape VCAD’s people strategy and support the continued development of a professional, responsive and people-focused HR service. You will also serve as a member of, and principal HR adviser to, VCAD’s Remuneration and Nominations Committee, chaired by an independent Governor.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver VCAD’s HR strategy and people priorities.
• Advise senior leaders and Governors on workforce planning, organisation design, succession, culture and people risk.
• Support the Remuneration and Nominations Committee on remuneration, senior appointments and succession matters.
• Lead employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and investigations.
• Coach and advise managers across the full range of people matters.
• Lead and continuously improve recruitment, onboarding and HR operations.
• Work and liaise with PEN’s HR team to coordinate and support any Associated Company within the PEN Group.
• Lead job evaluation, grading, performance management, learning and development, talent and succession planning.
• Develop and maintain compliant and effective HR policies and procedures.
• Promote staff wellbeing, engagement, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Lead and develop the HR team, including overseas-based support colleagues.
• Provide meaningful people data and reporting to senior management and VCAD governance bodies.
• Oversee and coordinate all aspects of personnel management, including payroll, pensions, rewards, communications, and related activities.
• Lead and manage employee payroll and pension schemes, working closely with the Accounts Department to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing and compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.
• Be flexible and show initiative; you may be required to perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the Company.

About you

You will be an experienced HR generalist who is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels. You will bring:

• Substantial HR management experience.
• Experience leading and developing an HR team.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters.
• Experience advising senior leaders on workforce and organisational issues.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive matters.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• CIPD Level 5, or equivalent professional qualification or experience.

Benefits

• Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Company Sick Pay.
• Statutory maternity and paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme (HA Wisdom Wellbeing)
• Virtual GP access (Livi)
• 'Speak Up Service' - confidential support service to report any workplace concerns
• Specialist physical and mental wellbeing support services with 24/7 confidential counselling support (Wisdom)
• Specialist menopause support, including online CBT (Wisdom)
• Financial, legal and medical advice services provided (Wisdom)
• Life & Leadership coaching (Wisdom)
• Financial coaching (MUNNY)
• Discounts and perks, offering savings on shopping, activities and more (Bright Exchange)
• Career development and training opportunities.
• Training and self-development opportunities.