Senior HR Manager
| Posting date: | 14 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 May 2026 |
| Location: | Bolton |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Acorn Care and Education |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 308876FAJ |
Summary
In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Job Title: Senior HR Manager
Location: Hybrid - Bolton (2 days in office per week)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 9am - 5pm
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Contract: Permanent | Full Time
UK applicants only | No sponsorship
About the Role
The People Manager plays a pivotal role within the HR function, acting as a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing key strategies that align employee relations, leadership capability, and data-driven insights with broader organisational objectives. This proactive role has full accountability for leading the advisory function, policy development, case management oversight, and driving improvements through the effective and proactive use of HR analytics.
The People Manager will leverage their strong generalist and ER background to support the People Services Team, contributing to the organisation's HR transformational journey. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful change from the outset.
The ideal candidate will bring expertise across various HR functions, including policy implementation, employee relations, and process re-engineering, ensuring HR best practices are embedded throughout the organisation. As a key member of the HR People Services Team, the people Manager will actively contribute to all HR activities and project milestones.
What You’ll Be Doing
Data-Driven Insights and Strategy
Own and develop the HR dashboard, ensuring it provides actionable insights that drive organisational improvements and inform divisional strategies.
Analyse data trends to identify systemic issues, gaps, or opportunities, and partner with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders to address them.
Link people data insights with the Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) process, using findings to recommend strategic changes across the organisation.
Policy Development and Employee Relations
Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of HR policies to ensure compliance with legal standards and alignment with organisational goals.
Act as the final escalation point for complex employee relations (ER) cases, including overseeing ACAS conciliation processes and representing the organisation in Employment Tribunals
Provide expert advice on ER matters to ensure fair and consistent application of policies and procedures.
Case Management and Leadership Capability
Oversee the case management process, ensuring timely resolution and utilising insights from cases to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
Partner with business leaders to enhance leadership capability, providing data-informed feedback to drive accountability and strengthen decision-making processes.
Use case management outcomes to inform improvements in key areas such as recruitment, onboarding, and induction processes.
TEAM LEADERSHIP AND UPSKILLING:
Lead and upskill people advisors, fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and continuous professional development.
Ensure the people team is equipped to manage ER cases effectively, with a focus on consistent application of policy and best practices.
Act as a mentor and subject-matter expert, building the team’s capability in interpreting and leveraging data to support decision-making.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:
Work closely with the Head of HR to co-create the HR strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
Drive the ER and case management agenda as a key component of the HR team’s strategic framework.
Collaborate with divisional leaders to integrate HR insights into their operational strategies, ensuring alignment with broader organisational priorities.
Essential experience & skills
LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
Strong coaching ability to develop People Advisors, enabling them to manage complex cases and confidently engage with stakeholders.
Proven capacity to influence team members and key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and alignment with organisational goals.
Ability to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
Skilled in building and maintaining trust within the team and across the organisation.
HR EXPERTISE:
A solid generalist background with in-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and best practices.
Evidence of supporting transformational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
Personal Attributes
Self-motivated with a passion for motivating others.
Strong organisational and time-management skills.
Why Join Us?
Outcomes First Group is the UK’s largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education, operating across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools, and Momenta Connect.
By joining our central teams, you’ll help shape strategy, provide expert support, and drive continuous improvement across a growing organisation renowned for quality, impact, and innovation. We value collaboration, professionalism, and creativity, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale while staying true to our core values of care, aspiration, and inclusion.
Benefits
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental and physical health support
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Flexible benefits via Vista, including discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, critical illness cover, and more
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Job Title: Senior HR Manager
Location: Hybrid - Bolton (2 days in office per week)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday | 9am - 5pm
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Contract: Permanent | Full Time
UK applicants only | No sponsorship
About the Role
The People Manager plays a pivotal role within the HR function, acting as a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing key strategies that align employee relations, leadership capability, and data-driven insights with broader organisational objectives. This proactive role has full accountability for leading the advisory function, policy development, case management oversight, and driving improvements through the effective and proactive use of HR analytics.
The People Manager will leverage their strong generalist and ER background to support the People Services Team, contributing to the organisation's HR transformational journey. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful change from the outset.
The ideal candidate will bring expertise across various HR functions, including policy implementation, employee relations, and process re-engineering, ensuring HR best practices are embedded throughout the organisation. As a key member of the HR People Services Team, the people Manager will actively contribute to all HR activities and project milestones.
What You’ll Be Doing
Data-Driven Insights and Strategy
Own and develop the HR dashboard, ensuring it provides actionable insights that drive organisational improvements and inform divisional strategies.
Analyse data trends to identify systemic issues, gaps, or opportunities, and partner with HR Business Partners and key stakeholders to address them.
Link people data insights with the Quarterly Performance Review (QPR) process, using findings to recommend strategic changes across the organisation.
Policy Development and Employee Relations
Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of HR policies to ensure compliance with legal standards and alignment with organisational goals.
Act as the final escalation point for complex employee relations (ER) cases, including overseeing ACAS conciliation processes and representing the organisation in Employment Tribunals
Provide expert advice on ER matters to ensure fair and consistent application of policies and procedures.
Case Management and Leadership Capability
Oversee the case management process, ensuring timely resolution and utilising insights from cases to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
Partner with business leaders to enhance leadership capability, providing data-informed feedback to drive accountability and strengthen decision-making processes.
Use case management outcomes to inform improvements in key areas such as recruitment, onboarding, and induction processes.
TEAM LEADERSHIP AND UPSKILLING:
Lead and upskill people advisors, fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and continuous professional development.
Ensure the people team is equipped to manage ER cases effectively, with a focus on consistent application of policy and best practices.
Act as a mentor and subject-matter expert, building the team’s capability in interpreting and leveraging data to support decision-making.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:
Work closely with the Head of HR to co-create the HR strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
Drive the ER and case management agenda as a key component of the HR team’s strategic framework.
Collaborate with divisional leaders to integrate HR insights into their operational strategies, ensuring alignment with broader organisational priorities.
Essential experience & skills
LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
Strong coaching ability to develop People Advisors, enabling them to manage complex cases and confidently engage with stakeholders.
Proven capacity to influence team members and key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and alignment with organisational goals.
Ability to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.
Skilled in building and maintaining trust within the team and across the organisation.
HR EXPERTISE:
A solid generalist background with in-depth knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and best practices.
Evidence of supporting transformational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
Personal Attributes
Self-motivated with a passion for motivating others.
Strong organisational and time-management skills.
Why Join Us?
Outcomes First Group is the UK’s largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education, operating across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools, and Momenta Connect.
By joining our central teams, you’ll help shape strategy, provide expert support, and drive continuous improvement across a growing organisation renowned for quality, impact, and innovation. We value collaboration, professionalism, and creativity, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale while staying true to our core values of care, aspiration, and inclusion.
Benefits
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental and physical health support
Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Flexible benefits via Vista, including discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, critical illness cover, and more
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.