People and Culture Manager

CSSC; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A civil service and public sector membership organisation is seeking a People and Culture Manager to manage HR operations and provide support to managers. Responsibilities include overseeing recruitment processes, handling employee relations, and ensuring compliance with HR policies. The ideal candidate will have a strong HR background, experience in managing ER cases, and excellent interpersonal skills. This full-time, permanent role is based on-site or in a hybrid model.

Qualifications

• Strong HR generalist background, ideally in a similar role.
• Confident managing ER cases and coaching managers.
• Experience leading or mentoring others.
• Good understanding of UK employment law.
• Comfortable balancing hands-on work with strategic input.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations across the organisation.
• Act as the escalation point for employee relations matters.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment for vacancies.
• Oversee monthly payroll and pension processes.
• Maintain and update HR policies in line with legislation.
• Support initiatives that build engagement and retention.
• Lead the organisation’s approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Skills

HR generalist background

Managing ER cases

Coaching managers

Understanding of UK employment law

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving skills

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

People and Culture Manager

Salary: £40,000 - £42,000

Location: Onsite/Hybrid (minimum Tues‑Thurs in the office based in High Wycombe Buckinghamshire)

Reports to: Head of People and Culture

Line management: HR Coordinator

About CSSC

With a heritage of 100 years, our patron is the Duchess of Gloucester, we are a membership‑owned organisation for all civil service and public sector employees in the UK, supported by 1,200 volunteers. We provide opportunities for over 100,000 members, that inspires wellbeing, builds community, and fosters a genuine sense of belonging, earning lifelong loyalty through trust and meaningful connection. We are currently undergoing our 3 year transformation agenda and it’s an exciting time to be part of building our next chapter.

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on People and Culture Manager to oversee day‑to‑day HR operations and provide trusted support to managers across the organisation. You’ll have overall responsibility for recruitment, employee relations, payroll oversight and HR policy, while leading and developing a People Coordinator who will support with administration, data and first‑line queries.

Leadership & HR operations

• Take overall responsibility for the delivery of day‑to‑day HR services across the organisation.
• Line manage, coach and develop the People Coordinator.
• Ensure HR processes are efficient, consistent and compliant.

Employee relations

• Act as the escalation point for ER matters including performance, absence, grievance and disciplinary cases.
• Support and coach managers on people issues, ensuring fair and consistent practice.
• Oversee the People Coordinator handling first‑line queries and low‑risk ER tasks.

Recruitment & onboarding

• Lead end‑to‑end recruitment for vacancies across the business.
• Partner with hiring managers to define roles, adverts and interview processes.
• Oversee onboarding to ensure a positive new starter experience, supported by the People Coordinator.

Payroll & benefits

• Oversee monthly payroll and pension processes ensuring accuracy and deadlines are met.
• Work closely with Finance and the HR Coordinator on submissions and changes.
• Support review and administration of benefits.

Policies, systems & compliance

• Maintain and update HR policies in line with employment legislation.
• Ensure GDPR and confidentiality standards are met.
• Oversee HR data quality and reporting (with delivery handled by the HR Coordinator).

Culture, engagement & development

• Support initiatives that build engagement, wellbeing and retention.
• Coordinate learning and development priorities with managers.
• Contribute to workforce planning and organisational change projects.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Lead and coordinate the organisation’s approach to EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion).
• Ensure HR policies and practices support fair, inclusive and non‑discriminatory outcomes.
• Work with leaders and managers to promote inclusive behaviours and challenge bias.
• Monitor EDI data and trends and report insights.

Skills & experience

• Strong HR generalist background, ideally in a similar role.
• Confident managing ER cases and coaching managers.
• Experience leading or mentoring others.
• Good understanding of UK employment law.
• Comfortable balancing hands‑on work with strategic input.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience.

Equal Opportunities Statement

CSSC is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We value diversity at CSSC, and do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

The above is intended to describe the general content of the role, and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or role requirements.

Interviews at CSSC take place in person and virtually as part of our recruitment process. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you are selected to move forward in our application process and you have a medical condition or an individual need for adjustment to our process, and you believe it may affect your ability to be at your best, please let the recruitment partner know, so we can consider how best we can support you and make any adjustments that may reasonably be needed.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

• United Kingdom (required)

• 100% (preferred)

Work Location: In person