People & Culture Manager | National Theatre

The People & Culture Manager serves as the primary onsite people and culture lead, responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle with particular focus on employee relations, compliance, recruitment support and people processes. Operating autonomously, the role provides expert guidance to managers on people-related matters, ensuring informed decision-making and the consistent application of company policies and employment legislation. The postholder plays a key role in fostering a positive workplace culture, supporting employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives, and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion across the business.

• Lead and manage employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and performance management processes.
• Conduct investigations and prepare case documentation and draft outcome letters, collaborating with regional HR specialists where required.
• Provide coaching, guidance and support to managers on a broad range of people management matters.
• Support organisational change activities, including consultations, restructures, post-TUPE integrations and wider structural change plans.
• Oversee all aspects of the employee lifecycle from onboarding through to offboarding, including managing the induction and onboarding programme to ensure consistency, compliance and a positive employee experience.
• Coordinate recruitment activity across salaried and operational roles.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR systems, employee records and personnel files in line with GDPR and company requirements, and undertake local payroll administration processes to ensure accuracy of employee data.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment legislation, company policies and HR best practices.
• Lead local employee engagement, wellbeing and recognition initiatives and drive employee feedback programmes.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and respectful workplace culture, supporting EDI initiatives and championing inclusive working practices.

• Previous experience in a standalone People & Culture Advisor, Senior People & Culture Advisor or People & Culture Manager role.
• Strong employee relations expertise, with the ability to manage cases independently.
• Good working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in hospitality, catering, leisure, retail or events environments with high-volume operational environments.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructures and TUPE-related activities.
• Confident and capable: an experienced HR professional able to work independently, manage priorities and proactively lead all people-related matters.
• Detail-focused: ensures compliance, accurate documentation, effective investigations and robust HR administration.
• Flexible and agile: thrives in a fast-paced environment, providing practical support and guidance across a diverse business.
• Approachable and collaborative: builds trusted relationships with managers and stakeholders, supporting teams and aligning people practices across Levy, National Theatre and KERB.
• Culture driven: passionate about developing people, driving engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and creating a high-performing workplace culture.

• £50,000 Plus bonus
• Full company benefits alongside a competitive salary and bonus.

• 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Healthcare and wellbeing cover including Aviva Digicare and Medicash (dental, optical and therapy treatments).
• Mental health support through a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family benefits including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, two days' additional leave after returning from maternity leave, a day off for your baby's first birthday, and enhanced family leave.
• Perks and discounts on shopping, entertainment and travel, plus 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships.
• Financial wellbeing support including a pension scheme, life assurance and preferred rates on salary finance products.
• Development opportunities including professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways.
• Meals on duty included.