People Operations Manager jobs

Full time, 35 hours per week, permanent

USSS Points 45–50, Salary Range £43,099 – £49,798 (Depending on skills and experience)

Founded in 1869 as the UK’s first residential college for the higher education of women, Girton is an inclusive, values-led community of around 900 students, 150 Fellows and over 135 professional and operational colleagues, set in more than 50 acres just outside the centre of Cambridge.

Our People & Culture function has spent the last phase rebuilding its foundations: modernised policies and contracts, stronger governance reporting, better recruitment and onboarding, and a growing focus on wellbeing and inclusion. The next phase is about making that work sustainable and measurable: consistent advice across the College, confident managers, better workforce insight as we implement our new HR system, and a team with the depth and resilience to deliver. We are now looking for an experienced People & Culture Manager to play a central part in that.

The role

Reporting to the Head of People & Culture and deputising for them when required, you will be a trusted partner to Heads of Department, senior officers and academic colleagues. You will:

• Lead on complex employee relations matters, giving sound, pragmatic advice grounded in employment law
• Coach and support managers to handle people issues confidently themselves, rather than relying on P&C to step in
• Support workforce planning, organisational change, and job evaluation, grading and salary benchmarking
• Use HR systems and data to inform decisions, and contribute insight to reports and papers for College committees
• Mentor and support the development of the P&C Advisor and Assistant
• Help embed wellbeing, inclusion and our values of Excellence, Inclusion and Sustainability in everyday practice

Working at Girton

A Cambridge college is not a conventional organisation. Decisions are shaped by Fellows, senior officers and committees as well as by line management, and influence comes from credibility, relationships and good judgement rather than hierarchy. If you enjoy working in that kind of environment and want your work to make a visible difference in a close-knit community, we would love to hear from you. Experience in higher education is welcome but not essential.

About you

We are looking for someone who has:

• A CIPD Level 7 qualification (or working towards), or equivalent relevant experience
• Experience in a generalist HR or People & Culture role within a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation
• Experience of working within a business partnering model
• Strong, practical knowledge of employment law and a track record of handling complex employee relations cases
• Experience of coaching line managers and supporting organisational change
• Confidence using HR systems and data to inform decisions
• The ability to build credibility and influence at all levels, including with senior and academic colleagues
• Sound judgement, discretion and the resilience to manage competing priorities calmly
• A mediation or conflict resolution qualification would be an advantage.

What we offer (some benefits are non-contractual)

• 34 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Flexible / hybrid working arrangements
• Salary sacrifice workplace pension scheme
• Life assurance at three times salary
• Health cash plan (Medicash) and Employee Assistance Programme (Help@hand)
• Free on-site parking, plus Cycle to Work and Electric Car schemes
• Free staff lunch and refreshments, and free use of the College gym and swimming pool
• Access to a holiday playscheme, staff discounts on private events in College and local University discounts

How to apply

Please send a CV and a covering letter to recruitment@girton.cam.ac.uk. We shortlist against the person specification, so please use your letter to show, with examples, how you meet each of the essential criteria.

If you need any adjustments or support with your application or at interview, please let us know at the same address. We will be happy to help.

Please read our applicant privacy notice before applying.

Key information

• The Job Description is available here - https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2026-10/JobDescriptionPCMOctober26Final.pdf
• The Candidate Pack is available here - https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2026-10/Candidate-pack-People-Culture-Manager.pdf
• Closing date: 23 October 2026 at 9am
• Interviews: 28 October 2026
• We are not accepting applications from agencies

Additional information

• Girton is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds
• The College is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role
• All offers of employment are subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

Pay: £43,099.00-£49,798.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person