Lead HR Business Partner

Salford City College; Salford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford City College Group in Salford is seeking an experienced Lead HR Business Partner to join our proactive HR team at Frontier House. You will lead a small team, provide expert guidance on complex employee relations, and drive strategic people initiatives across the College.

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will develop talent, oversee Learning and Development, build strong relationships with managers and unions, and champion a positive, values-led workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Chartered CIPD professional (FCIPD desirable).
• Significant HR Business Partnering experience.
• Extensive employee relations expertise in a unionised environment.
• Confident handling of complex and sensitive people matters.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing others.
• Ability to build credibility and relationships at all levels.
• Solutions-focused, pragmatic and resilient; able to challenge constructively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the HR Business Partner function and manage a team of two HRBPs and an HR Adviser.
• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters.
• Build strong relationships with managers and trade union representatives.
• Oversee Learning and Development and identify workforce needs, skills gaps and development opportunities.
• Support delivery of people-focused initiatives across the organisation.

Skills

CIPD qualified (FCIPD desirable)

HR Business Partnering

Employee relations

Leadership & coaching

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Change resilience

Constructive challenge

Job description

Lead HR Business Partner

Reference: 000214 | Closing Date: 22/11/2026 | Interview Date: 02/12/2026

Salary: £42,912 - £47,270 (Incremental progression throughout the band is available)

Contract Type: Permanent | Hours per Week: 36 | Location: Frontier House, Merchants Quay, Salford

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced and approachable Lead HR Business Partner to join our fantastic HR team.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a lead role within a supportive, ambitious and collaborative team that is passionate about creating a positive workplace culture and delivering an outstanding people service. We are committed to making the College a great place to work, where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to thrive.

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead the HR Business Partner function, managing a team of two HR Business Partners and an HR Adviser. You will provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters, build strong relationships with managers and trade union representatives, and support the delivery of people-focused initiatives across the organisation. You will also oversee Learning and Development, helping to identify future workforce needs, skills gaps and development opportunities, ensuring colleagues have the support and resources they need to succeed.

We're seeking someone who:

• Is a Chartered CIPD professional (FCIPD desirable)
• Has significant HR Business Partnering experience
• Brings extensive employee relations expertise within a unionised environment
• Is confident managing complex and sensitive people matters
• Has experience leading, coaching and developing others
• Builds credibility and effective relationships at all levels
• Is solutions-focused, pragmatic and resilient
• Can challenge constructively when required
• Brings energy, positivity, a sense of humour and a genuine can-do attitude

Why join us?

Our HR team is known for being supportive, hard-working and approachable. We work together, support each other and genuinely care about the impact we have on colleagues across the College.

This is a role where you'll have the opportunity to influence, develop and improve. You'll be joining a team that is committed to continuous improvement, values new ideas and is focused on creating the best possible experience for our staff.

If you're an experienced HR professional looking for a rewarding leadership role where you can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Reason to Join Us:

• We have Generous Terms and Conditions (Sixth Form College’s Association style terms and conditions) including 13 weeks not in college (195 days in College).
• We have a 2:30pm finish on Fridays, Free on-site parking and various health and wellbeing resources and benefit schemes including three Staff Wellbeing days per year.
• We offer automatic enrolment to the Local Government Pension Scheme with employer pension contribution.
• Our College is an incredible community, there is a lot that staff and their families can get involved with
• We have family friendly policies and we are happy to talk about flexible working.
• We invest in our people and offer a range of training & career opportunities for all staff.
• We have an amazing Staff Benefits Package with discounts and savings for supermarkets, petrol, high-street retailers, holidays, cinemas and other leisure.
• Our shared purpose: We believe in the value of education for a successful future and we want the best for our learners and our staff.
• Our core values are at the heart of everything we do. Staff and students behave with respect, integrity and kindness.
• 93% of staff are proud to work at the College.

Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding Requirements

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility, and all staff are expected to understand their role in identifying and responding to concerns.
• This role involves regular contact with children and/or young people and may include regulated activity as defined by current safeguarding legislation.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as part of our safeguarding commitment we undertake DBS and further safeguarding checks as part of our pre-employment procedures on all potential new employees.
• It is an offence to apply if you have been barred from regulated activity with children.
• The successful candidate will be required to fulfil the safeguarding responsibilities outlined in the job description and person specification.
• We reserve the right to conduct online searches as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.
• References will be sought at shortlisting stage.

The College is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, welcoming applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with military experience whose unique skills and perspectives are highly valued.

Recruitment Agencies: We are not utilising the service of recruitment agencies for this vacancy and will accept direct applications only.