Employee Relations jobs in United Kingdom

Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire

Salary: Pro rata salary £21,087.51 (based on full time equivalent of £36,595.63)

Contract: Fixed term contract (12 months)

Hours: Part‑time 20 hours per week

Closing date: 4th January 2026

A role where you can innovate and make a real impact!

We are a dynamic, student‑focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy.

Are you passionate about compliance, systems, and risk management? Do you thrive on detail, process improvement, and empowering managers to lead confidently? We’re looking for a HR Manager who will shape our HR operations for excellence.

You’ll be part of our small but very busy team, where no two days are the same. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll manage complex HR processes, develop robust systems, and provide strategic insight to keep us ahead of the curve. You’ll also support a diverse range of teams, including our commercial venues team, nursery staff, career staff, student‑staff, interns and apprentices, ensuring tailored HR solutions.

• Lead on employment law, contracts, employee relations, IR35, right‑to‑work checks, and HR audits.
• Act as the HR lead for payroll operations and ensure GDPR compliance.

• Handle day‑to‑day HR queries and deliver excellent customer service.
• Design and optimise workflows, SOPs, and HR processes for efficiency.
• Maintain and develop accessible HR policies, templates, and resources for best practice and accessibility.
• Manage technical queries (payroll, statutory leave, annual leave, contract changes).
• Oversee multiple HR and payroll databases and leverage automation for accuracy and efficiency.
• Deliver end‑to‑end recruitment for career staff, student staff, apprenticeships, and internships, including planning and fair selection.
• Implement streamlined onboarding and off‑boarding processes, including exit interviews.
• Manage reporting schedules (absence, turnover, new hires etc) for data‑driven insights and impact reporting.

• Coach and empower managers to confidently lead on disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, capability, and redundancy processes.
• Support conflict resolution through mediation and coaching.
• Develop disability support plans and manage occupational health referrals.

• Support the Head of People & Culture in developing and implementing a new People Strategy and managing organisational change.
• Drive continuous improvement and position the organisation as a sector leader.

• Line manage an HR Coordinator, providing guidance and development.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and deliver clear, engaging all‑staff communications.

• CIPD Level 5.
• Significant experience as an HR Manager in a busy environment, with the confidence to handle all complex issues that come your way and really 'own' the operations.
• Proven ability to create processes—not just follow them—driving innovation and efficiency.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Payroll experience.
• Expert at prioritising competing priorities.
• Expert technical knowledge and skills for statutory leave, contracts, calculations, payroll, reporting and data analysis).
• Resilient, detail‑driven, and passionate about process improvement.
• HR audit experience.
• You think strategically.
• Organised, adaptable, and ready to make things happen.
• Line management experience.
• Evidence of CPD.

• CIPD Level 5.
• Degree in Human Resources.
• HR Consultancy experience.
• HR Business Partner experience.
• HR management experience in small to medium sized organisations.

• Inclusive and supportive team culture
• Flexible working options
• 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days
• Professional development opportunities
• Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.

Ready to make our People Strategy a reality? Apply today!

Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.