People and Culture Lead

People and Culture Lead

London Academy for Applied Technology (LAAT)

About Us

LAAT is a growing higher education institution delivering undergraduate Business programmes in partnership with Plymouth Marjon University. We are committed to widening participation, strong student outcomes and high standards of governance as we work towards registration with the Office for Students (OfS).

About The Role

This is a senior, strategic role for an experienced HR leader who wants to shape people and culture in a regulated higher education environment.

You will lead the full HR function and be the institution’s expert voice on people governance. You will advise the People and Culture Committee, write board level papers, and make sure our policies, people data and risk reporting meet regulatory standards. You will line manage two HR Assistants and work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and senior academic leads.

What You Will Do

Governance and Compliance

• Own the people and culture governance framework and the HR policy suite
• Attend the People and Culture Committee in an advisory role, preparing papers, workforce data and risk updates
• Maintain a version controlled, auditable HR Policy Locator
• Lead employment compliance, including safer recruitment, right to work, UK GDPR, EDI and Prevent
• Maintain the people section of the institutional risk register
• Prepare people and governance evidence for OfS, QAA and other external reviews
• Work with legal advisers on employment law matters

People and Culture Strategy

• Develop and deliver the people and culture strategy, with clear objectives and success measures
• Lead workforce planning and advise on recruitment and establishment levels
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion, including effective reasonable adjustments
• Lead staff engagement, the staff survey, the PDR cycle, pay progression and the Promotion Panel
• Publish the Annual Training and CPD Calendar and report mandatory training compliance
• Promote a respectful, inclusive culture that puts wellbeing first

HR Operations and Employee Relations

• Lead HR across the full employee lifecycle and own the HR SOPs
• Manage recruitment end to end, from workforce planning request to signed contract
• Oversee onboarding, induction, probation and HRIS records
• Lead grievance, disciplinary and capability cases in line with the ACAS Code of Practice
• Advise on sensitive cases, including harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual misconduct
• Own the monthly payroll data cycle with strict data security controls
• Act as system owner for BrightHR
• Manage leave, absence reporting, return to work meetings and the full exit process

Safeguarding and Professional Conduct

• Lead HR procedures on staff conduct and sexual misconduct, keeping them trauma informed and aligned with OfS Condition E6
• Support Prevent arrangements and keep staff training records accurate and reportable
• Work in partnership with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Student Services

Reporting and Insight

• Present governance papers, workforce analytics and HR risk reports to the committee, the ELT and the board
• Use HRIS, absence, PDR and exit data to identify cultural trends and emerging risks
• Keep HR evidence organised and ready for audit at all times.

Requirements

What You Will Bring

Essential

• A relevant degree, or an equivalent professional qualification such as CIPD Level 7
• Experience of leading an HR function in a regulated environment, including governance reporting and policy ownership
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law, the ACAS Code of Practice, UK GDPR and safer recruitment
• Experience of writing and presenting papers for senior committees or governing bodies
• Proven experience of managing complex employee relations cases end to end
• Experience of owning an HRIS, with strong Microsoft 365 skills, especially Excel for reporting and analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Discretion, sound judgement and impartiality

Desirable

• Experience in higher education or a regulated public sector environment
• Knowledge of the OfS regulatory framework
• Familiarity with Prevent duties in an employment context
• Experience of leading organisational development, engagement or culture change
• Knowledge of the HE sector, including the OfS, QAA, Advance HE and UHR
• Experience of preparing for external regulatory review or audit

Benefits

Your Development

• CPD in HR leadership, employment law, governance and higher education management
• Sector engagement through CIPD, Advance HE and Universities HR (UHR)
• Senior leadership development opportunities
• Annual PDR with clear, institution aligned goals

What We Offer

• Pension scheme and generous annual leave
• Staff wellbeing programme and Employee Assistance Programme
• A senior role with real influence in a growing institution
• An inclusive, values led leadership team

How To Apply

Send your CV and a short cover letter to [email protected] by 13/11/2026.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

LAAT is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, right to work checks and an appropriate level of DBS check.