Human Resources Manager

Job Summary

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Pattern:

Full time

Advert Start Date:

12/10/2026

Advert End Date:

Closed for applications on 08/11/2026 12:00

Salary:

Grade 11 SCP38 – SCP 40 £50,908 to £53,051 FTE per annum

Job Category:

HR / Training

Vacancy ID:

303395

Employment Location:

Peterlee, Co Durham

Closing date:

8 Nov

Further Information

At North East Learning Trust our ambition is to continually improve the experiences and outcomes for all the 8865 children across our 15 academies. We look to achieve this by ensuring our 1,400 people join us on our journey towards excellence both in the view of Ofsted and as judged by performance outcomes, enrichment opportunities and the day-to-day experiences of students as learners and of our staff.

Due to the continued growth of North East Learning Trust, we are expanding our HR Manager team. We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced and professionally credible HR Manager to join the Director of HR and the HR team in delivering a responsive, high-quality and continually improving HR service across the Trust.
Each HR Manager is the named HR lead for a portfolio of schools. You will build trusted relationships with Headteachers and senior leaders, develop a strong understanding of your schools and provide practical, legally compliant advice and support.

This is a broad HR generalist role in which complex employee relations and case management will form the largest part of the workload, particularly during school term time. You will manage a varied caseload including attendance, capability, disciplinary, grievance, safeguarding-related employment matters and organisational change, applying sound judgement and helping leaders reach fair, timely and sustainable outcomes.

The pattern of work changes during school holiday periods, when term-time colleagues are generally not working and case activity is usually lower. These periods provide space to respond to essential queries, prepare for forthcoming cases and priorities, and progress policy, systems, data and service-improvement work. You will therefore have genuine opportunities to lead proactive and strategic projects, including embedding iTrent, developing workforce analytics, improving recruitment and employee lifecycle processes, and building HR knowledge and confidence within schools.

The successful candidate will:

Act as the named and trusted HR adviser for a dedicated portfolio of schools.
Lead a substantial and varied caseload.
Build HR knowledge and management expertise in our people.
Contribute to and lead Trust-wide policy, iTrent, workforce analytics and process-improvement projects.
Support schools to deliver recruitment and other people processes effectively, efficiently and compliantly.
Have a flexible approach to work and be able to travel.

We can offer:

Excellent working environment and ethos in a growing and successful Trust.
National Terms and Conditions of Employment (NJC Green Book).
Access to Local Government Pension Scheme.
32 paid holidays in addition to bank holidays and one paid Wellbeing Day.
Lifestyle savings and range of discounts from top retail brands.
Discounted gym membership.
Employee Assistance Programme.

The role is based at our Peterlee Head Office, with travel to Trust schools as required; with a flexible and agile approach to working.

Deadline and Find out More
The advert will remain open for four weeks but may close earlier if sufficient applications are received If you are interested in applying and would like to find out more about the role, the HR team, or the wider structure and strategic priorities, further information can be obtained from Helen Murphy Director of HR – helen.murphy@nelt.co.uk