People & Culture Manager | National Theatre

Is the primary onsite people and culture lead, responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle with a particular focus on employee relations, compliance, recruitment support and people processes. Operating autonomously, the postholder provides expert guidance to managers on people-related matters, ensuring informed decision making and the consistent application of company policies and employment legislation. The role plays a key part 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, 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 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 and communications across the business.
• Promote a positive, inclusive and respectful workplace culture, and support EDI initiatives and 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 and inclusion, and creating a high-performing workplace culture.

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