HR Manager
• 💰Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 Depending on qualifications and experience
• 🕒Hours: 37 hours per week / 52 weeks per year
• 📍Location: Newbury College Campus
• 📅 Closing date: 24th June 2026
• 📅 Interview Date: Thursday 2nd July 2026
Shape the future of people and payroll at Newbury College
We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Manager to lead our HR operations and payroll service. This is a key leadership role, supporting the delivery of an excellent employee experience while ensuring compliance, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the College.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director, Corporate Services, you will:
• Lead the HR and payroll function, ensuring a high-quality, responsive service
• Oversee the payroll process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery
• Provide expert advice on employee relations, employment law, and organisational change
• Drive improvements in HR systems, data insight, and workforce planning
• Support key priorities including safeguarding, EDI, and inspection readiness
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for someone who combines strong operational expertise with strategic insight:
- ✍️ Significant HR experience, including complex employee relations
- 💡Strong knowledge of UK employment law
- 🤝 Experience leading and developing teams
- 💬 Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- 👥 CIPD Level 5 or above (Level 7 desirable)
Why Join Us?
At Newbury College, you’ll be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team committed to making a difference:
• A key leadership role with real impact
• Commitment to professional development and CPD
• Inclusive and values-driven culture
• Generous holiday (35 days plus bank holidays) and Local Government pension scheme
• Opportunity to contribute to a college focused on delivering excellence to our students, people and external stakeholders
About Newbury College and University Centre Newbury
We are a dynamic further and higher education institution located in the heart of West Berkshire, recognised for our forward-thinking approach and commitment to student success. Our campus is a hub of creativity and innovation, and our mission is "creating opportunities to transform lives", which we achieve through unparalleled support for our students and ongoing professional development for our staff. By joining us, you will be part of a team dedicated to making a significant impact in the community.
What we offer
Financial Benefits:
• Competitive salary reflective of experience and commitment to educational excellence
• Teaching Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Health and Wellness:
• Occupational Sick Pay Scheme
• Occupational Maternity Pay Scheme
• On-site gym membership at an annual fee of £20
• Wellbeing support through an Employee Assistance Scheme and other activities and facilities
• Free Annual Flu Jab
Professional Development:
• Development opportunities through workshops, training, and courses
• Professional development tailored to further qualifications and career advancement
Work-Life Balance:
• 35 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options to ensure a healthy balance between professional and personal life
Campus Amenities and Discounts:
• Free onsite parking
• Access to a corporate discount scheme
• Discounts on hair and beauty treatments at the Newbury College salon
• Good value food and drink at the Street Café
• Discounted childcare at the on-site nursery for staff (operated by a third party)
• Staff recognition awards; celebrating the excellence in all we do
• Staff Summer Event
If you are excited about the prospect of making a significant impact on our students’ careers in our role of HR Manager we would love to hear from you.
We understand that no candidate will perfectly match every qualification or criterion listed. If your experience differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply!
If you're interested in this position, please apply below or send your CV to recruitment @newbury-college.ac.uk as an expression of interest. Please note that applications must be submitted through our website.
Safer Recruitment
At Newbury College we are committed to following Safer Recruitment Guidelines
• Pre – Recruitment Process: Candidates will be subject to an online search. Applications must be completed in full with a complete employment history (With any gaps reasoned) and qualifications listed. Incomplete applications will not be submitted for shortlisting.
• Interview Stage: Candidates will be required to provide Right to Work documentation and an overseas check/Code of conduct certificate (if applicable), any convictions must be declared and consent to obtain a DBS Certificate and PLR Record will be requested .
• Successful Candidates: A share code will be required for Non-British citizens and further documents may be needed. A barred list check will be carried out. We also require a minimum of 2 references and an Enhanced DBS check
Safeguarding Statement
Our college is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
We value and embrace diversity, recognising the contribution individuals from different backgrounds can bring to our organisation. We are ‘Disability Confident Committed’ and expect all our employees to share this commitment. We are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all appointments are subject to satisfactory clearances including enhanced DBS checks.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the set closing date if we receive a good level of applicants. To avoid disappointment, we would advise that you complete your application in full, rather than saving and returning to complete at a later date.