Deputy Director of HR; Employee Relations

The Deputy Director of HR (ER) is responsible for shaping and delivering a high‑performing, compliant, and employee‑focused ER function. The postholder will lead all aspects of employee relations, ensuring the College maintains best practice standards and adheres to employment legislation while fostering a fair, inclusive, and positive working environment.

Final date to receive applications: 8 February 2026

Department: Human Resources

Location: Liverpool

Compensation: £64,584 per year

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of employee relations, ensuring the College adheres to employment legislation and best practice while fostering a fair, inclusive, and positive working environment.
• Act as the College’s lead advisor on complex and high‑risk ER matters, including industrial relations, employment law compliance, and organisational change.
• Develop, review, and implement HR policies and procedures to ensure they are legally compliant, in line with changing legislation, and aligned with the College’s values and strategic objectives.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to employment law, industrial action, and tribunal claims, safeguarding the College’s reputation.

• Oversee all ER casework across the College, including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, and capability management, ensuring timely, fair, and consistent resolution.
• Personally lead on the most sensitive and high‑profile cases, providing expert guidance and ensuring compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
• Coordinate reporting of all case management activity, ensuring accurate data on attendance, conduct, capability, and grievance cases.

• Build and maintain constructive relationships with recognised trade unions, leading on consultation and negotiation processes for organisational change and workforce matters.
• Provide high‑level advisory support to managers on industrial relations issues, ensuring effective communication and resolution strategies.

• Drive a high performance culture across all business areas by advising managers on best practice and compliance in relation to performance, capability, and conduct; actively upskilling managers to strengthen management capacity.
• Lead attendance management strategies to achieve College absence targets, using data insights to identify trends and implement proactive solutions.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives that enhance work‑life balance and make the College an employer of choice.

• Line‑manage the HR Business Partners and oversee the HR Advisers, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality HR services.
• Monitor ER team performance and effectiveness, making recommendations for structural or process improvements based on emerging trends and organisational needs.

• Deputise for the Group HR Director as required, representing HR at executive and management meetings and contributing to strategic decision‑making.
• Actively participate in cross‑College committees and leadership forums, influencing organisational priorities and promoting HR as a strategic partner.

• To contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College Group ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life.
• To take a proactive approach and responsibility for personal professional development, Health & Safety, and meeting other regulatory compliances (e.g. GDPR, Safeguarding), thereby enabling safe and professional working practices to be observed at all times.
• To support cross college actives as required in particular the key enrolment and invigilation periods.
• Carry out any other relevant and appropriate duties as determined by the needs of the service and as appropriate to the grade.

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent experience in Human Resources.
• Significant senior HR leadership experience within a complex, unionised environment.
• Proven track record of…