HR Casework Manager

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading postgraduate university in London seeks an experienced HR Casework Manager to lead employee relations casework. The role involves providing expert advice on complex HR issues, managing casework processes, and developing HR policies. Candidates should have a CIPD Level 7 qualification and extensive HR casework experience, ideally within higher education or the public sector. This is a values-driven position within a vibrant and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Inclusive workplace

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive HR casework experience, ideally within higher education or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS codes.
• Excellent coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in line management and collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee complex HR casework across the College.
• Provide expert advice to managers on disciplinary and grievance cases.
• Drive early resolution through mediation and proactive engagement.
• Manage and develop HR Advisors to ensure service excellence.
• Contribute to the development of HR policies and guidance.

Skills

CIPD Level 7 qualification

Extensive HR casework experience

Strong knowledge of UK employment law

Excellent interpersonal skills

Analytical abilities

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent

Job description

Location: Kensington (Hybrid: 3 days on-site, 2 days WFH)
Contract Type: Permanent
Line Management: HR Advisors x 2
Reports to: Head of HR Business Partnering

Are you an experienced HR professional with a strong background in employee relations casework? Are you passionate about fostering an inclusive, fair, and values-driven workplace culture? Join the Royal College of Art (RCA), the world’s leading postgraduate university for art and design, as our new HR Casework Manager.

About the RCA
The RCA is home to more than 2,600 postgraduate students from around the world, spanning four Schools: Architecture, Arts & Humanities, Communication and Design. With a global alumni network of over 30,000 creative leaders and a strong research reputation, the RCA sits at the intersection of creativity, science, and technology, addressing today’s complex challenges through interdisciplinary innovation.

The Role
As HR Casework Manager, you will lead and manage employee relations casework across the College, ensuring consistent, legally compliant, and fair outcomes. You’ll be a key advisor to managers on complex issues such as disciplinary, grievance, capability, and absence cases—promoting early resolution and best practice in all aspects of case management.

You’ll also work closely with the Head of Business Partnering to enhance the employee experience by supporting the design and implementation of people-focused processes and policies. Managing two HR Advisors, you will coach, mentor, and support their development while helping to strengthen people management capability across the organisation.

This is a high-impact, varied role that will see you working with trade union colleagues, legal advisors, and managers at all levels to embed a culture of integrity, inclusion, and professionalism across the RCA.

Key Responsibilities
Lead and oversee complex HR casework, providing expert advice to managers and collaborating with Legal and HR Business Partners.

Drive early resolution through coaching, mediation, and proactive engagement.

Develop and deliver training to managers on ER topics and effective people management.

Oversee the RCA’s Report & Support system and case management tool.

Contribute to the development of HR policies, toolkits, and guidance.

Manage formal investigations and hearings to ensure procedural rigour.

Monitor casework trends and produce insightful reports to inform strategic improvements.

Line manage and develop two HR Advisors to ensure service excellence.

What We’re Looking For
You’ll bring:

CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Extensive HR casework experience, ideally within higher education or the public sector.

Strong knowledge of UK employment law, ACAS codes, and HE sector-wide challenges.

Excellent interpersonal, coaching, and stakeholder management skills, including trade union engagement.

Analytical and report-writing abilities with a focus on service improvement.

Experience of line management and a collaborative, empathetic leadership style.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a values-led HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment and wants to make a difference.

Why Join Us?
We offer a vibrant and inclusive workplace, guided by the RCA’s core values of Collaboration, Inclusion, Curiosity, and Integrity. In return, you’ll join a team that is passionate about supporting people and enabling transformation.

Interview date: 19/8/25