HR Manager

Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
Chiltern Recruitment Ltd

Our client, a well-established organisation in the education sector near Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to join its senior management team on a full-time, permanent basis from August 2026. The role offers a salary of £50,000 – £60,000 per annum, plus a contributory pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and fee remission.

This is a varied HR Manager role, responsible for leading and developing the HR function across a values-led, regulated environment. The successful candidate will provide both strategic and day-to-day HR support, advising senior stakeholders, managers and employees on employment matters, recruitment, employee relations, safeguarding compliance, HR policy, wellbeing and engagement.

The role would suit a confident HR generalist who enjoys working autonomously, building strong relationships and providing clear, practical advice across a broad HR remit.

This is a full-time, permanent, site-based role near Gerrards Cross.

Key duties:

• Providing professional HR advice and guidance to senior stakeholders, managers and employees across all areas of generalist HR.
• Leading and developing HR policies, procedures and working practices, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, regulatory requirements and best practice.
• Managing employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, attendance, sickness absence, family-friendly policies and flexible working requests.
• Supporting investigations, formal hearings, appeals and related administration, liaising with external advisers where required.
• Managing recruitment and safer recruitment processes, including advertising, applications, references, interviews, contracts, pre-employment checks, DBS checks and right to work checks.
• Maintaining accurate HR records, personnel files and statutory compliance documentation.
• Supporting recruitment and retention strategies, employee wellbeing, employee benefits, employee voice activity, staff surveys and engagement initiatives.
• Preparing HR reports for senior stakeholders and contributing to strategic planning, compliance readiness and organisational development.
• Supporting payroll instructions, leaver processes, exit interviews and wider HR administration.
• Promoting high standards of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional conduct.

Key skills and experience:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification as a minimum, or equivalent HR qualification.
• Proven experience in a generalist HR management role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, HR best practice and employee relations.
• Experience of recruitment, policy development, performance management and absence management.
• Excellent communication, judgement and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to advise senior stakeholders.
• Calm, fair and professional approach, with the ability to handle confidential matters sensitively.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Experience in education, safeguarding or another regulated environment would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of safer recruitment practices would be beneficial.

Benefits:

• Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 per annum.
• Full-time, permanent role.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Fee remission.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the HR function within a supportive, values-led organisation.
• Professional, collaborative working environment.

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment checks.