Please note this position is for internal applications; only current Activate Learning Employees will be considered for this role.
About the HR Manager role:
As the HR Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational direction to a team of skilled HR Business Partners, delivering a consistent, high-quality service that supports the needs of a diverse and evolving organisation. Reporting to the Head of Employee Experience, you will play a pivotal role in aligning HR strategies with organisational priorities, enhancing the employee experience, and embedding a culture of proactive, partnership-based people management.
Acting as the primary escalation point for complex and sensitive employee relations matters, you will bring expert knowledge of employment law and best practice to guide fair and timely resolutions, including formal appeals where necessary. Your leadership will ensure the HR Business Partnering team adopts a forward-thinking, solution-focused approach, enabling early resolution of workplace issues and fostering a stable, engaging environment for all employees.
You will drive continuous improvement by shaping HR policies, using people data and analytics to inform decision-making, and delivering targeted training to strengthen leadership capability across the organisation. Collaborating closely with Talent Development, Diversity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing teams, as well as engaging with trade unions, you will lead initiatives that promote inclusion, engagement, and organisational growth.
This is a full-time, permanent role, based at any of our campuses, offering flexibility while ensuring visibility, connection, and collaboration across our organisation.
What do you need to be a successful HR Manager at Activate Learning?
An accomplished HR professional who is a strategic and results-driven HR leader with extensive experience partnering with senior management to shape and deliver people strategies that drive organisational performance. CIPD-qualified with a strong track record in managing complex and sensitive employee relations cases, leading large-scale change programmes, and fostering a high-performance culture.
As the HR Manager, you will be highly skilled in employment law, HR best practice, and organisational policy development, with the ability to balance compliance requirements with innovative, people-focused solutions. Recognised for building trusted relationships across all organisational levels, leveraging people analytics to inform decision-making, and creating measurable improvements in engagement, retention, and operational efficiency. with deep expertise in employee relations, employment law, and strategic people management. Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, manage complex organisational change, and deliver innovative, data-driven HR solutions that align with business objectives.
Key Qualifications & Experience
1. CIPD-qualified (or equivalent) with extensive experience as an HR Business Partner, managing complex employee relations with diplomacy and a solutions-oriented approach.
2. Expert knowledge of employment law and HR best practice, with a track record of successfully interpreting legislation and implementing compliant, effective policies.
3. Proven leadership experience in motivating and developing professional teams, and delivering measurable positive outcomes through strategic HR initiatives.
4. Strong data and analytical capability, using HR systems and people analytics to inform decisions and support organisational performance improvement.
Internal applicants - What do you need to do next?
As you prepare your internal expression of interest, make sure you include the below points to make sure your application is as suitable as possible:
5. Detail why you would like to be considered for the role
6. Explain what skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience you have which make you a suitable candidate for the role
7. Detail what attributes you have which make you a suitable candidate for the role
Please upload your expression of interest together with an up-to-date CV as one document.
We highly recommend that you speak with your manager in advance of any interview so that they are aware of your aspirations and can facilitate your progression.