Senior HR Caseworker
Apply to work as a Senior HR Caseworker with GCHQ, an intelligence, cyber and security agency based in Manchester, working closely with MI5 and MI6.
Pay range provided by Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ
This range is provided by Careers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Senior HR Caseworker
Location: Manchester
Salary:£50,838 (plus a concessionary payment of £2,658)
Flexible working: This full‑time role is based on site at our Manchester office. Opportunities to work from home are very limited – up to 20% of the time, but this cannot be guaranteed and will be determined by business requirements. We are happy to consider part‑time & compressed hours working requests.
About us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting‑edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber‑attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The role
As a Senior HR Caseworker you’ll be at the heart of an exciting new advisory service. You’ll use your expertise to shape how we tackle people challenges across the organisation. This is a unique role, full of variety.
* Run the HR Casework Advisory – offer timely, practical solutions to colleague case‑work related queries by phone and email.
* Help managers navigate all kinds of situations – early performance reviews, absence monitoring, misconduct issues – focusing on fair outcomes before issues escalates.
* Provide advice that is up‑to‑date, compliant and aligned with policy and best practice.
* Lead horizon scanning to keep the team informed of new or changing legislation, case law and emerging employment trends.
* Document casework and guidance clearly, maintaining accurate, auditable records.
* Lead case investigations and dispute resolutions, working with Employment Legal Advisors to support tribunal preparations.
* Mentor junior caseworkers, building their confidence and skills to manage their own cases.
* Ensure all activities meet policy, legal and compliance standards.
About you
* A Level 5 CIPD qualification.
* Proven experience in HR advisory and case management with a strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law and HR best practice.
* Integrity, discretion and professionalism – colleagues can rely on you for clear, practical guidance.
* Organised and confident managing competing priorities.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Flexibility and adaptability to change; readiness to move between advisory and investigatory work.
* Some line‑management experience desired; prior experience not required, as you will be supported and trained to lead your team confidently.
Training and development
From the day you join, you’ll be supported. You’ll be paired with a buddy for settling in and will have ongoing guidance from your team. You’ll have access to a wide range of internal communities, support networks and mentors to help you navigate your journey and develop your career.
Rewards and benefits
* 25 days of annual leave, automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus an additional 10.5 public and privilege holidays.
* Opportunity to be recognised through the employee performance scheme.
* A dedicated development budget.
* An interest‑free season ticket loan.
* A cycle‑to‑work scheme.
* Paid parental and adoption leave.
What to expect
1. Application sift – reviewing your motivation for the role and the organisation.
2. A virtual interview, including competency questions.
3. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment.
4. Each stage must be successfully passed to progress to the next. The application may take 6–9 months to process including vetting.
Before you apply
To work at GCHQ you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria. This role requires the highest security clearance, Developed Vetting. Find out more about the vetting process. We have a strict drugs policy – once you start the application, you cannot take recreational drugs, and you must declare any previous usage at the relevant stage.
Consider setting up a separate email address for contact with us, avoiding identifying features such as your name or date of birth, to keep application correspondence separate and secure.
The role is based in Manchester, so you must live within a commutable distance. We do not offer relocation costs. You should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, wait until you visit the UK to apply.
Seniority level
Not applicable
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Human Resources and Other
Industries
Government Relations Services
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