Salary: £50,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), Permanent
Location: St. Edmund House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, PO1 3QA.
Some occasional travel may be required across the Diocese; you will need a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Are you a compassionate and strategic HR professional, looking to make a meaningful impact? The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is seeking a dedicated HR Manager to lead and develop our Human Resources function, supporting clergy, staff, and volunteers across the Diocese.
As the HR Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping a positive and inclusive working culture. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of people management, including providing professional HR support to parish priests and other line managers, safe recruitment, performance and appraisal processes, training and development and employee relations, ensuring adherence to legislation, best practice and Diocesan policies and procedures.
This is an exciting time to join our friendly, busy, and supportive team as we implement our 10-year Mission Plan, shaping the future of our Diocese and the communities we serve.
Covering Hampshire, Berkshire, South Oxford, and the Channel Islands, our Diocese is home to 87 parishes and 50 schools, serving over 27,000 practising Catholics and supporting 32,000 children and their families. Our work is both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to be part of something truly meaningful.
Key Responsibilities
Key Internal and External Relationships
* Chief Operating Officer
* Senior Clergy, Directors, and Senior Officers of the Diocesan Curia
* Director of Finance
* Direct Reports (HR Advisor and HR Administrator)
* Head of Safeguarding
* Parish Priests
* Employees in Parishes
* Diocesan HR Professionals across the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales
Workforce Strategy
* Collaborate with line managers and parish priests to identify and implement workforce changes to meet future service needs, including adjustments to working practices and team structures, and manage redundancy processes when necessary.
* Contribute to the formulation and execution of the HR Strategy, ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the Diocese of Portsmouth and local parish requirements.
* Work with line managers to develop the workforce in support of the Diocese's Ten-Year Misson Plan, You Will Be My Witnesses, ensuring it meets current and future service needs.
* Design and implement local interventions to gather and respond to employee feedback, by developing internal communications, implementing a robust exit process and other feedback mechanisms such as surveys from time to time.
* Provide expert change management advice, ensuring consultation processes comply with the Change Management Policy, relevant employment law, and best practices.
* Work with the senior leadership team to develop a pay structure to ensure fairness and encourage career development.
Employee Support
* Ensure occupational health screening and specialist support are included in the recruitment process and when additional advice is necessary.
* Promote the Employee Assistance Program and monitor outcomes as part of key performance indicator assessments.
Workforce Management Reporting
* Lead the rollout and ongoing development of the HR management system (Staffology), including upgrades, service needs, and support requirements.
* Provide regular, competent reports for Management Committees and the Board of Trustees,, including Key Performance Indicators, analysis and recommendations.
* Ensure all HR related reporting such as sickness absence is consistently applied and monitored.
Policy Development and Review
* Conduct regular reviews and updates of employment policies to remain compliant with current legislation and reflect HR best practices.
* Research and analyse changes in employment law and relevant HR initiatives to inform policy developments.
* Collaborate with line managers and parish priests to gather insights during policy revisions and ensure updates are effectively communicated and disseminated across the Diocese.
* Provide training and resources to facilitate understanding and compliance with updated policies.
Recruitment
* Oversee the recruitment process to ensure a responsive, high-quality service for the Diocese. This includes supporting the drafting of job descriptions and adverts as well as managing the placement of adverts.
* Ensure production of all contractual and related documentation for newly recruited employees, along with timely follow-ups and confirmation of employment.
* Collaborate with line managers to identify recruitment and retention difficulties and develop targeted strategies to address these challenges.
* Ensure recruitment processes comply with Safe Recruitment policies and relevant Right to Work legislation.
Employee Relations
* Act as a specialist resource for line managers on complex employee relations issues, including disciplinary actions, grievances, and performance management.
* Partner with the designated employee relations adviser from the Catholic Insurance Service (currently WorkNest) to ensure compliance with best practices and legislation, preserving insurance coverage during formal actions.
* Performance manage casework to ensure adherence to employment policies and improve the standards of investigations and management processes, fostering a fair employee relations culture.
* Work with the Chief Operating Officer to engage legal counsel for any industrial relations cases and take the lead in preparing for formal hearings.
Pay and Benefits
* Provide comprehensive information and support to employees regarding employment benefits and welfare matters.
* Advise on changes in pay related legislation such as living wage to ensure these are implemented.
* Oversee monthly payroll preparation, including data entry and final approval processes.
* Coordinate with the Finance department and benefits providers to ensure accurate application of pensions and other benefits.
* Manage annual salary reviews and communicate relevant information to staff.
* Oversee death-in-service benefits, conducting market testing every three years and ensuring all staff have nominated beneficiaries.
Learning and Development
* Develop and implement an induction plan for all new starters to ensure constructive positive onboarding experience.
* Manage a learning and development programme for employees, prioritising mandatory training.
* Develop and deliver training sessions aimed at improving people management skills for line managers and parish priests, ensuring compliance with relevant employment policies.
* Create targeted management briefing sessions and workshops on topics like sickness absence management, harassment, appraisal, and performance management.
Management of the HR Team
* Ensure professional standards in HR are maintained and developed across the team.
* Oversee all aspects of the development and training of HR employees to enhance their skills and effectiveness.
Volunteer Management
* Collaborate with the Head of Caritas to develop and implement a comprehensive volunteer coordination and management strategy, leveraging best practices in HR and the third sector.
Budget Management
* Manage the HR budget effectively ensuring spend remains within agreed budget.
* Participate in the annual budget preparation process to ensure financial resources are allocated effectively
Meeting Attendance
* Attend meetings of the HR Remuneration and Nominations Committee and any other meetings required, to provide briefings, advice and seek approvals as needed from the Board of Trustees about HR related matters.
* Attend in person meetings in parishes across the Diocese where sensitive matters indicate that an in-person meeting is preferable.
* Professional approach to Online meetings.
Ad Hoc Duties and Projects
* Carry out ad hoc duties as requested by your line manager to support the overall HR function and diocesan goals.
Person Specification
Essential
* Degree-level qualification with a professional qualification in HR (e.g., CIPD) at a master's level, or equivalent.
* Significant recent HR management in a complex organisation (private, public, or voluntary sector).
* Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders.
* Strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, and performance management.
* Proven experience in holding senior individuals and teams accountable for performance.
* Track record in supporting change management.
* Excellent organisational skills, including effective team working, minute-taking, and meeting facilitation.
* Highly developed, competent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to convey clear messages and instructions sensitively and professionally.
* Resilience working under pressure in a busy environment.
* In-depth knowledge of Data Protection legislation and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
* Experience in Training and Development.
* Experience in budget management.
* Clean driving licence and own transport.
* Commitment to self-development with evidence of recent professional development.
Desirable
* A deep understanding of the values and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
* Experience in volunteer support, development, and management practices.
* Experience working in the Charity Sector
Benefits:
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Life Assurance and Employee Wellbeing
* Company pension
* Free Parking is available onsite
Come and be part of our mission
How to Apply
Please send a comprehensive and up to date Curriculum Vitae along with a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role and motivation in applying (no more than 2 sides A4) to Please state 'HR Manager' in the subject line of your email.
The Diocese of Portsmouth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all who support the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 28 September 2025 at 23.59pm.
Interview Details
In anticipation of a high number of applicants for this role, we encourage early application as we may close this advertisement at our discretion, before the date stated.
You will be notified shortly after the closing date, should we wish to progress your application and invite you to an interview.
Appointment
Any offer of employment to work at the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory employment references, provision of relevant certification of qualifications held, and completion of pre-employment checks.
You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.
Work Location: Hybrid
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* On-site parking
* Sick pay
Application question(s):
* Do you have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship?
* You must be able to commute or relocate for this job before starting work.
* Do you hold a Level 7 CIPD qualification or above, in HR Management or a related HR discipline?
Experience:
* HR Management: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 28/09/2025