Head of HR

Wigan & Leigh College; Wigan; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in the North-West is seeking a Head of HR to lead the people strategy and transform HR practices. In this role, you will oversee complex employee relations, manage the whole recruitment life cycle, and champion inclusion and engagement. The ideal candidate will have significant HR leadership experience, ideally in the education or public sector, along with a CIPD qualification. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and a strong benefits package. Applications close on 19th January 2026.

Benefits

Great holiday entitlement

Access to benefits platform

Healthcare scheme

Regular development opportunities

Local Government Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Significant HR leadership experience, ideally in education or public sector.
• CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent strategic HR expertise.
• Deep knowledge of employment law and proven casework management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic HR planning, aligning people capability with ambitions.
• Deliver impact by driving organisational development and change programmes.
• Oversee complex employee relations, ensuring fair, consistent and legally sound approaches.
• Manage the recruitment life cycle from onboarding to offboarding.
• Lead the HR team to deliver excellence.

Skills

HR leadership experience

CIPD qualification (Level 7)

Knowledge of employment law

Leading organisational change

Building high-performing teams

Analytical skills

Influencing and negotiating

Creating inclusive workplaces

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Job description

Head of HR

Location: Wigan & Leigh College
Salary: £57,141 - £64,285
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time

Shape how we work. Build how we grow.

As Head of HR at Wigan & Leigh College, you'll transform how we work, develop and succeed together. You'll lead and shape strategy that puts our people first, builds a culture where careers can flourish and our 600 colleagues can do their best work.

You’ll partner with leadership to drive organisational change, lead complex employee relations with confidence, and build frameworks that attract and keep exceptional people. Your decisions shape not just policies, but how people experience work every single day.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategic HR planning, aligning people capability with our ambitions
• Deliver impact by driving organisational development and change programmes
• Oversee complex employee relations, ensuring fair, consistent and legally sound approaches
• Manage the whole recruitment life cycle from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and offboarding
• Lead your HR team to deliver excellence
• Partner with leadership to build workforce strategies for now and the future
• Champion inclusion, wellbeing and engagement
• Manage payroll and pension administration through key partnerships
• Build data-driven insights informing better decisions
• Ensure robust compliance with employment law and safeguarding requirements
• Create development pathways to help our colleagues reach their potential

What you bring

• Significant HR leadership experience, ideally in education or public sector
• CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent strategic HR expertise
• Deep knowledge of employment law and proven casework management
• Track record of leading successful organisational change
• Experience building high-performing teams and developing people
• Strong analytical skills with confidence in HR metrics and systems
• Natural ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted partnerships
• Commitment to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can belong

Why join us?

Imagine being able to influence the experience of 500 people and, through them, the future of thousands of students. When you lead HR at Wigan & Leigh College, that’s your every day.

We invest in our people so you can expect a great holiday entitlement, access to our benefits platform and healthcare scheme, regular development opportunities, plus a strong Employee Assistance Programme including occupational health support and counselling. And we’ll help you keep an eye on the future with membership of the Local Government Pension scheme.

If you want autonomy to shape our people strategy and have the energy to transform how an entire organisation works, then this is the role for you. You won’t do it alone, starting with an executive team that listens, knows the value of HR, and gives you the resources to make true change. We want to become the employer of choice in the North-West. Are you the person who can make that happen?

Apply today, help us build the place everyone wants to work.

Applications close: 19th January 2026 12:00pm

Interview Date: 27th January 2026