11899 - HR & Wellbeing Manager

Essex; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Chelmsford seeks an HR & Wellbeing Manager to lead the HR team and provide high-quality, people-focused support. This role encompasses managing complex employee relations, performance management, and implementing health and wellbeing strategies. Applicants must hold an L5 CIPD qualification and possess strong communication skills and emotional intelligence. The position offers a competitive salary along with generous holiday and development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday

Local government pension

Training and development

Work-life balance

Qualifications

• Proven recent experience in a senior HR Generalist role.
• Ability to balance people needs with business priorities.
• Experience in managing complex ER cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small HR team delivering employee lifecycle support.
• Oversee employee relations and performance management.
• Implement health and wellbeing strategies.

Skills

Solution focused HR advice

Excellent communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Team management

Education

L5 CIPD qualification or equivalent

GCSE Maths and English Grades 5-9 (A-C)

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC0-1317 Position Type: Administration Pay Range: Up to £47,874 per annum

Position Start Date: 01/03/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 06/01/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: 16 January 2026

As HR & Wellbeing Manager, you will manage a small but mighty team, delivering high quality people focussed support across the employee lifecycle. From complex employee relations to performance management, sickness absence management you will be the go‑to expert for compassionate and operationally focused HR advice and guidance. We are passionate not only about the health and wellbeing of our workforce, but also about ensuring we have an inclusive working and learning environment where everyone feels safe.

Key Focus

• Leading and developing the HR team to deliver a solution focussed responsible, efficient service.
• Manager ER cases with fairness, empathy and sound decision making.
• Coaching and mentoring managers to enable them to implement practical HR advice.
• Proactive marketing of the College through end‑to‑end recruitment and selection processes.
• Focus on health and wellbeing strategy enabling a resilient strong workforce.
• Contribute to digital transformation of the HR processes and practices as part of ongoing projects.
• Building trusted and supportive relationships throughout the business and with external stakeholders.

We Are Looking For

• Essential to hold an L5 CIPD qualification or equivalent management or degree qualification.
• GCSE Maths and English Grades 5-9 (A‑C).
• Proven recent experience in a senior or management HR Generalist role providing solution focused HR advice and guidance. Education sector experience would be an advantage but not essential.
• Strong operational awareness and the ability to balance people needs with business and operational priorities.
• Excellent communication skills with high emotional intelligence, resilience and a collaborative mindset.
• Proven experience in managing complex ER cases and providing sound judgements.
• Team management potential – whether you have led a team before or are ready for the step up.

Why Join?

We put people at the heart of our College. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.

We can offer a competitive salary, training and development, local government pension. Work‑life balance is important to us – this is why we offer generous holiday plus additional closure days throughout the academic year along with other College benefits.

So don’t delay, apply today. We look forward to hearing from you.

The College is committed to equality and diversity and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share these commitments.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

If you have any further questions, please e‑mail [e-mail] or if you wish to apply, please go directly to our website https://www.chelmsford.ac.uk/our-college/vacancy.asp?id=17455

Applications will be considered upon receipt.

Information about the School

Chelmsford College Group

Chelmsford College has a wide range of opportunities for about 450 full and part time employees making us one of the largest employers in Chelmsford.

At Chelmsford College, we put the learner at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share these values. Our commitments to our learners are reflected in the breadth of employment opportunities we offer.

Whether you are an experienced teacher, or possess good vocational qualifications and experience in industry and are considering either full time or part time teaching in further education, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We also have opportunities in a wide range of learning and business support activities such as student support, learning technologies, technician roles, IT support, finance, estates, human resources and staff development, student admissions, and general administration.

Chelmsford College offers exceptional personal and professional development opportunities. Other benefits include final salary pension schemes, competitive salary and annual leave arrangements, on site sports & fitness centre, free courses, staff discounts arranged with local retailers and highly flexible working arrangements for many of our positions.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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