Job Description
Part-time HR Manager (Compliance & Operations)– Reading Students’ Union
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!
About Reading Students’ Union
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
The Role: Part-time HR Manager (Compliance & Operations)
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.
What You'll do:
Compliance & Risk Management
* 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.
HR Operations & Systems
* 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 offboarding processes, including exit interviews.
* Manage reporting schedules (absence, turnover, new hires etc) for data driven insights and impact reporting.
Employee Relations & Wellbeing
* 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.
Strategic HR
* 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.
Collaboration & Leadership
* Line manage an HR Coordinator, providing guidance and development.
* Manage stakeholder relationships and deliver clear, engaging all-staff communications.
About You
Essential
* 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.
Desirable
* CIPD Level 5.
* Degree in Human Resources.
* HR Consultancy experience.
* HR Business Partner experience.
* HR management experience in small to medium sized organisations.
Why Join Us?
* 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.