Senior HR Manager

Interaction - Huntingdon; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK-based educational trust seeks a full-time HR Manager to act as a strategic deputy to the Executive HR Director. The ideal candidate will have experience in Trust or Education settings and must possess CIPD Level 5 or above. The role involves managing complex employee relations, driving HR excellence, and ensuring legal compliance while promoting a positive culture. The position offers a salary of £42,000 - £46,000 and a hybrid working arrangement – two days from home and three days in the office. Start date is January 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR management within a Trust or Education setting.
• Ability to manage complex employee relations cases.
• Expertise in workforce planning and HR analytics.

Responsibilities

• Act as strategic deputy to the Executive HR Director.
• Deliver high-quality HR services across the Trust.
• Drive HR excellence and promote an inclusive culture.
• Manage complex employee relation cases.
• Liaise with HR service providers for effective support.

Skills

Employee relations management

HR analytics

Organisational change

Legal compliance in HR

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

My client based in Solihull are currently recruitment for a HR Manager on a full time permanent basis. Reporting to the Executive HR Director, the ideal candidate will come with experience from a Trust or Education setting. Must be CIPD Level 5 or above to be considered.

• Start date – January 2026
• Hybrid – two days from home 3 days in the office
• Salary - £42,000 – 46,000 DOE

Role Purpose

The Trust HR Manager will act as the strategic deputy to the Executive HR Director, delivering high-quality HR services across the Trust. The role leads on complex employee relations, workforce planning, HR analytics, and organisational change. The postholder will drive HR excellence, ensure legal compliance, and promote a positive, inclusive culture.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Casework

• Manage complex ER cases : disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence.
• Liaise with outsourced HR provider to ensure effective casework support.
• Fortnightly case review meetings.
• Monitor HRIS case logs and maintain the internal casework tracker.
• Assess and action reports from reporting systems.
• Escalate complex / sensitive cases to HR Director as required.
• Provide expert employment law and HR best-practice guidance.