People manager

People Manager

College location: East Surrey College (Redhill) and John Ruskin College (Croydon)

Salary: £51,277.51

Hours: Full time (37 hours/week)

Interviews: 16th & 17th July 2026 at East Surrey College

Make a real impact in a role that shapes people, performance and culture!

We are seeking an experienced and motivated People Manager to lead the delivery of a high-quality service across our College Group.

This is a key leadership role within the People function, combining strategic partnering with operational excellence and team leadership. You will work closely with senior leaders and managers to shape workforce strategies that support our ambition, strengthen performance, and enhance the experience of both staff and students.

If you are passionate about people, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy balancing strategic influence with hands‑on delivery, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

As People Manager, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of people professionals, ensuring high performance, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Partner with managers and senior leaders to design and deliver effective workforce and staffing strategies
• Provide expert advice across employee relations, performance, absence management, recruitment and organisational change
• Oversee complex casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability and restructuring activity
• Ensure fair, consistent and legally compliant application of HR policies and employment law
• Support workforce planning, identifying trends, risks and opportunities to improve organisational effectiveness
• Oversee contracts of employment, compliance and accurate people data management
• Work closely with Payroll, Recruitment, CPD and external legal advisers to ensure seamless service delivery
• Lead on attendance management and wellbeing interventions across allocated areas
• Support and deliver organisational change programmes, including restructuring and consultation processes

About you:

• Proven experience in a senior advisory or business partnering role
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations case management
• Experience of leading or supervising teams
• Confidence working with senior leaders and influencing decision‑makingAbility to manage complex, sensitive and high‑risk cases
• A proactive, solutions‑focused and people‑centred approach
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in everything you do

Why Join us:

• A leadership role with real influence across a diverse College Group
• The opportunity to shape workforce strategy and organisational culture
• A supportive and collaborative People & Culture team
• Continuous professional development opportunities
• The chance to make a tangible difference to staff and student experience

If you’re ready to lead and influence in a values‑driven, learner‑focused organisation, we would love to hear from you!

We offer a competitive salary, along with staff benefits such as choice of two pension schemes, a holiday package, free onsite parking and access to a fully equipped gym and discounted in‑house spa and salon treatments.

Orbital South Colleges Group are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population.

We are also committed to PREVENT and Safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Both College Campus’ are smoke‑free zones.

As part of our pre‑employment checks, successful candidates will be required to complete an enhanced DBS, references will be taken and evidence of all qualifications and awards will also be required before commencement of employment. Failure to do so may lead to offers being withdrawn.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as we do not sponsor work permits, and work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.