People & Culture Manager

Full time, 35 hours per week, permanent

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 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 rebuild our 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 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 managers to handle people issues confidently themselves
• Support workforce planning, organisational change, and job evaluation and benchmarking
• Use HR data to inform decisions and contribute to committee papers
• Mentor the P&C Advisor and Assistant
• Help embed wellbeing, inclusion and our values in everyday practice

Working at Girton

A Cambridge college is not a conventional organisation. Decisions are shaped by Fellows, senior officers and committees, and influence comes from credibility, relationships and good judgement rather than hierarchy. If that appeals, we would love to hear from you. Experience in higher education is welcome but not essential.

About you

• CIPD Level 7 (or working towards), or equivalent relevant experience
• Generalist HR experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder organisation
• Experience of working within a business partnering model
• Strong, practical employment law knowledge and a track record in complex employee relations cases
• Experience of coaching line managers and supporting organisational change
• Confidence using HR systems and data
• The ability to build credibility and influence at all levels

A mediation qualification would be an advantage.

What we offer

34 days' annual leave including bank holidays, flexible/hybrid working, salary sacrifice pension, life assurance, health cash plan, Employee Assistance Programme, free lunch, free on-site parking, Cycle to Work and Electric Car schemes, free gym and pool, and a holiday playscheme. Some benefits are non-contractual.

How to apply

Send a CV and covering letter showing, with examples, how you meet the essential criteria to recruitment@girton.cam.ac.uk. The full job description and person specification are available by clicking the 'Apply' button above. Please read our applicant privacy notice before applying. If you need any adjustments or support, please let us know.

Closing date: 9am on Friday 23 October 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 28 October 2026

Girton welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. The College is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role. All offers are subject to proof of the right to work in the UK. No agencies please.

Advert information