HR Manager

Bristol City Council; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body in Bristol seeks an HR Manager to lead on employee relations within a dynamic team. This role involves managing complex casework, influencing HR practices, and ensuring compliance with UK employment law. Ideal candidates will have a CIPD membership and significant experience in employee relations. Flexible hybrid working options are available.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Well-being support

Health benefits, gym discounts

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant experience in employee relations, including leading change programmes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to manage complex situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead on complex casework and drive organisational change.
• Deliver HR advice and support across the academies.
• Shape a values-led HR service in a multi-academy trust.

Skills

Employee relations experience

Knowledge of UK employment law

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Coaching and influencing

Education

Chartered CIPD membership

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Job Title: HR Manager (Employee Relations Team)

Actual Annual Salary: £51,773 - £57,137 (CLF Grade L1 - L5) Based on 37 hours per week, all year round

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday / All year-round

Additional role information: Hybrid Kingswood, Bristol office, home working, and travel across CLF academies including working at locations in Somerset and Gloucestershire, as required. Flexible working arrangements can be considered for this role, including the possibility of 0.8 FTE or flexibility over school holiday periods. These options can be discussed further during the interview process.

Provisional Start Date: December 2025

Overview

Lead the way in HR strategy and help us create inclusive, thriving school communities.

We are looking for a strategic and solutions‑focused HR Manager to join our Central HR Team at Cabot Learning Federation. This is a pivotal role within our Employee Relations Team, where you’ll lead on complex casework, drive organisational change, and influence HR practice across our diverse multi‑academy trust.

You’ll work closely with Principals, senior leaders, and external partners to deliver high‑quality, pragmatic HR advice and support. From safeguarding and compliance to TUPE and employment law, your expertise will help shape a proactive, values‑led HR service that supports our academies and central teams.

This is a trust‑wide role, offering variety, challenge, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the federation.

About You

• Significant experience in employee relations, including leading change programmes (e.g. TUPE, restructures, redundancies).
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and safeguarding practices in education.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach, influence and build trust across all levels.
• A Chartered CIPD membership and ideally a degree‑level qualification.
• A proactive, analytical mindset with the ability to problem‑solve and manage complex, sensitive situations.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in HR practice.

Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.

Why join CLFs Central HR Team?

• Be part of a collaborative, forward‑thinking HR team that values innovation and integrity.
• Lead on strategic HR projects and contribute to shaping policy and practice across the trust.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working and a supportive culture that prioritises wellbeing and development.
• Gain exposure to a wide range of HR activities across primary, secondary, and alternative provision settings.
• Access career development opportunities within a growing multi‑academy trust.

Why work at CLF?

We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from under‑represented and global majority groups, including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part‑time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

What We Can Offer You

• Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Generous annual leave.
• A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in‑role/wider‑trust development opportunities.
• Well‑being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
• A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
• Additional benefits like cycle‑to‑work scheme, on‑site parking and many more!

Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: 10 November 2025 @ 11.59pm
• Shortlisting: 11 November 2025
• Interviews: 18 November 2025

For an informal discussion about the role or to find out more, please email CLFs Recruitment Team directly (details can be found on the ‘Contact Us’ page on CLFs main website, or in the ‘Application Instructions’ section when applying).

As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs; you must provide full education and employment history through our application form.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.

Please note we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.