People & Culture Partner

Toynbee Hall; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in East London is seeking a People & Culture Partner to lead the transformation of its people strategy. This role involves driving inclusivity, high performance, and wellbeing throughout the organization. The ideal candidate will have at least CIPD Level 5 and experience in HR management, including complex employee relations and recruitment processes. Benefits include generous annual leave, a pension scheme, and additional support for wellbeing.

Benefits

Enhanced Sick Pay

Maternity & Paternity Leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record in HR roles managing complex employee relations cases.
• Experience managing payroll processes accurately.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive transformation of the people strategy in alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide expert support across the full employee lifecycle.
• Support senior leaders in fostering a culture of performance and inclusion.

Skills

CIPD Level 5 minimum

Complex employee relations management

Payroll processing

End-to-end recruitment

Onboarding programme design

HR policy drafting

Consultation process support

Organizational communication skills

Conflict resolution skills

Understanding of trauma-informed practices

Education

Experience in HR

Unionized environment experience

Experience in charity or non-profit sector

Job description

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Team background

The Human Resources team sits within the Operations Directorate, led by the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This role reports directly to the Head of People & Culture, who is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and ensures that people, culture, and inclusion are embedded at the heart of the charity’s strategic and operational priorities.

The Human Resources team plays a crucial role in supporting the charity’s mission, ensuring that we attract, develop, and retain talented and committed staff, foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and maintain compliance with employment law and best practice.

Job purpose

This role partners closely with the Head of People & Culture, and senior stakeholders to lead the transformation of Toynbee Hall’s people strategy and implement its EDI strategy. It focuses on championing values-based leadership, shaping organisational culture, and embedding trauma-informed HR practices to ensure the workforce is supported, empowered, and engaged.

Through strategic influence and partnership, this role drives initiatives that promote inclusivity, high performance, and wellbeing across the organisation, ensuring all people and culture activities are fully aligned with Toynbee Hall’s mission and organisational goals.

Scope of role

The People & Culture Partner will provide expert support across the full employee lifecycle from attraction and recruitment, to onboarding, development, performance management, and exit. This role will support senior leaders in driving values-based leadership, building HR capability, and fostering a culture of performance, inclusion, and wellbeing.

In addition, the People & Culture Partner will play a key role in workforce planning, leveraging data and insights to inform decision‑making, and ensuring that HR processes are effective, compliant, and centred on the needs and experiences of people.

The key focus for this role will be to support all employee relations case load with the guidance of the Head of People & Culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic HR & Culture
• Employee Relations
• Recruitment & Onboarding
• Payroll & HR Operations
• Performance, Learning & Development
• Wellbeing, EDI & Engagement

Essential Criteria

• CIPD Level 5 minimum.
• Proven track record in HR / People roles, including managing complex employee relations cases (grievance, disciplinary, absence and performance management) providing guidance to managers and supporting individuals through processes.
• Experience managing payroll processes, either directly or through outsourced providers, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven experience leading end‑to‑end recruitment, including role scoping, advertising, shortlisting, interviewing, and selection.
• Experience designing and delivering onboarding and induction programmes that support new staff to integrate effectively and feel engaged from the outset.
• Experience of drafting HR policies and procedures and conducting gap analysis on HR systems.
• Experience supporting managers and advising through consultation processes such as TUPE and / or redundancy.
• Strong organisational, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed approaches and a commitment to developing organisational culture to ensure inclusion and diversity.
• Experience working in a unionised environment and demonstrate a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Experience working in a similar role within the charity or non‑profit sector is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening, with the ability to determine business goals and suggest ways to achieve them through HR initiatives.
• Alignment with Toynbee Hall’s mission and strategy.
• Commitment to working in line with Toynbee Hall’s values:
• Inclusive – open‑minded, transparent, collaborative; seeking fresh and alternative perspectives.
• Courageous – principled, ambitious, and acting with integrity.
• Empowering – shifting power, sharing knowledge, and enabling people to take action for themselves.
• Understanding of safeguarding and willingness to further develop this knowledge.

Please download the full Job Description for more details.

Our Benefits Package

We believe in supporting our employees with a well‑rounded benefits package designed to enhance work‑life balance, financial security, and overall well‑being.

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
• After 2 years : +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years : +1 additional day.
• After 5 years : A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3‑day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution : 4%, Employee contribution : 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well‑being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest‑Free Season Ticket Loan for cost‑effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking

We’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment, because when our team thrives, we all succeed!