Keystone Knowledge
HR Manager
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Keystone Knowledge is looking for an experienced HR Manager to join our client-facing HR Advisory team.
This is not an in-house HR role. You will act as the trusted HR partner for a portfolio of schools, academy trusts and other education organisations, providing practical advice and helping leaders manage people matters fairly, confidently and effectively.
You will develop a strong understanding of each client, manage routine and moderately complex employee-relations casework, produce robust documentation, coach managers and deliver practical HR training. You will work independently while recognising when higher-risk matters need to be escalated to the Senior HR Manager.
Responsibilities
- Take day-to-day responsibility for a portfolio of retained education clients
- Advise on disciplinary, grievance, attendance, capability, performance, probation, flexible-working and conduct matters
- Manage casework from initial advice through to outcome
- Identify legal, safeguarding, employee-relations and reputational risks, escalating appropriately
- Prepare clear correspondence, process plans, hearing materials, outcome letters and manager guidance
- Coach headteachers and operational managers through difficult people decisions
- Design and deliver practical HR training for client managers
- Support restructures, consultations and wider workforce projects
- Maintain accurate case records, actions and risk information
- Contribute to client reviews and identify where further support would add genuine value
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About you
You will be a thoughtful and credible HR professional who can build warm client relationships while retaining the confidence to challenge. You will give clear, practical advice in plain English, exercise good judgement and remain calm when matters are sensitive or complex.
Essential criteria
- CIPD Level 5 or above
- Strong generalist HR experience, including employee-relations casework
- Recent experience working with schools, academy trusts or comparable education organisations
- Experience of consultancy, outsourced HR or multi-client advisory work
- Experience advising and coaching headteachers or operational managers
- Experience delivering practical HR training or workshops
- Strong written communication and case-management skills
- Confidence using Microsoft 365 and handling sensitive information securely
- Ability to travel regularly to client sites across the UK
- Experience of restructures, formal consultation, safer recruitment or safeguarding-related employment matters would be advantageous.
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The offer
- Salary: £40,000–£45,000, depending on experience
- Permanent, full-time position
- Home-based within the UK, with regular client travel
- Flexible working where client and team commitments are met
- Professional development and paid professional membership
- Support from an experienced, collaborative and genuinely human team
If you want the variety and influence of consultancy, meaningful relationships with education leaders and the autonomy to do excellent work without working alone, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a covering statement to HR@Keystoneknowledge.com explaining why the role interests you and how your experience matches the person specification.
For the full job spec and recruitment pack, please follow the link below:
[Keystone HR Manager Recruitment Pack AUG26.pdf](Keystone HR Manager Recruitment Pack AUG26.pdf)
Advert closes Friday 14th August 2026.
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