Group HR Manager

About the role:

We are currently seeking a Group HR Manager to join The Bedford College Group at Dunstable Campus.

As a Group HR Manager you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Providing an effective, high quality HR support service for The Bedford College Group (TBCG), to College leaders, managers and all employees.
• Leading the HR team, providing expert professional advice and coaching to enable them to deliver employee relations, workforce management and employee engagement activities across their areas.
• Overseeing the management of all Employee Relations (ER) cases across the TBCG with focus on Bedfordshire campuses
• Providing professional, confidential and consistent advice and guidance on all aspects of HR to employees at all levels within TBCG
• Carrying out all aspects of the role in line with TBCG culture and values
• Ensuring the student experience is kept at the heart of everything the HR Directorate does

About you:

• CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent
  Experience in an HR Management role that reflects the equivalent level of knowledge will also be considered as a suitable alternative to meet the criteria
• Extensive Employee Relations knowledge and practical experience gained through working within an HR Advisor role
• English and Maths GCSE (A – C) or equivalent (Level 2)
• Experience of working in a fast-paced HR environment
• Previous experience of line management of a team is essential
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and best practices in ER (Employee Relations)
• Substantial experience working in a generalist HR role and able to demonstrate the
• application of HR policy in practice.
• Substantial experience leading on employee relation matters and case management
• Excellent understanding of Equal Opportunities and Data Protection legislation
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities
• Proficient in HR Systems and Microsoft
• Effective communication / interpersonal / influencing skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail with a thorough methodical approach to tasks
• Although the role is based at the Dunstable Campus, must have the ability to travel to other Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire College Group sites for meetings, events, training etc.

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisational VISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork - We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously - We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred - At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive - We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring - We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence - We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.

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