College location: East Surrey College (Redhill) and John Ruskin College (Croydon)
Hours: Full time (37 hours/week)
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.
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-making
- Ability 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
Benefits
- Leadership role with real influence across a diverse College Group
- Opportunity to shape workforce strategy and organisational culture
- Supportive and collaborative People & Culture team
- Continuous professional development opportunities
- Competitive salary, two excellent pension schemes, a brilliant holiday package, free onsite parking and access to our fully equipped gym along with discounted in‑house Spa and Salon treatments
EEO Statement
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 Campuses are smoke‑free zones.
