People Manager – Permanent, Remote

Full-time (35 hrs) - Open to part-time

Are you ready to take the lead on shaping people strategy and culture in a mission-driven organisation? MLC Partners are recruiting for an experienced People Manager to play a central role in modernising HR systems, embedding best practice, and creating a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to thrive.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Head of People and Governance. You’ll be responsible for managing a small HR team while also influencing senior stakeholders and working closely with staff representatives. The role will combine strategic input with hands-on delivery, ensuring the organisation not only meets its legal obligations but develops as an innovative and inclusive workplace.

Key responsibilities:

• HR leadership: Oversee recruitment, retention, payroll, benefits and workforce planning, ensuring the organisation is effectively resourced.
• Modernising policies: Lead the review and update of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law and alignment with organisational values.
• Employee relations: Act as a trusted advisor to managers, supporting them to handle disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability issues with confidence and fairness.
• Change and culture: Partner with managers, unions and staff to deliver organisational change, embedding inclusive and people-focused practices at every level.
• Data and reporting: Use analytics to identify workforce trends and provide insights that shape decision-making.
• Learning and development: Drive the implementation of performance management frameworks, development plans, and training initiatives.
• Team management: Line manage two senior HR professionals as well as providing oversight to a small staff team, fostering collaboration and high performance.

About you:

We’re looking for someone with the confidence and credibility to lead a people function in a complex, unionised environment. You’ll need to be:

• Qualified: CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) with significant HR management experience.
• Experienced: Skilled in employee relations, organisational change, and managing union negotiations. Background in the not-for-profit, public sector, or membership organisations is highly valued.
• Knowledgeable: Up to date with UK employment law, HR systems, and best practice in people management.
• Influential: Strong communicator and relationship-builder, able to engage and influence at all levels.
• Values-driven: Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in people practices.

Why join?

This is an exciting chance to step into a role where you can make a visible and lasting impact. You’ll have the scope to reshape policies, implement new systems, and guide leaders through meaningful organisational change. If you’re motivated by modernising HR, supporting people to succeed, and working in a collaborative and purpose-led environment, please apply now.

We welcome applications from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Applicants are under constant review, and the role may be filled prior to the ad closing. For a further confidential discussion about this role and to discuss your career search, please reach out to Annabelle Stuart at MLC Partners.