Business support administrator jobs in Manchester

Head of Industrial Relations

£68,602 per annum + excellent benefits.

Home-based with travel to meetings/training across the country as required

Full time, permanent.

Lead negotiations. Influence change. Protect and strengthen the voice of school and college leaders.

Make A Difference

This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly influential function, shape national industrial relations activity and make a lasting difference to the professional lives of school and college leaders.

Why This Role Matters

As our clients Head of Industrial Relations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that school and college leaders have a strong and influential voice in shaping their pay, conditions and working environment. Leading their industrial relations and collective bargaining function, you will help safeguard members' rights, secure positive outcomes through negotiation, and strengthen their position as the leading professional body and trade union for education leaders. Your expertise will directly contribute to improving the working lives of members across the UK while ensuring the organisation remains legally compliant, strategically focused and highly respected within the sector.

Who We’re Looking For

Our client is seeking an experienced industrial relations, trade union or HR professional with a proven track record of leading successful negotiations at a senior level. You will bring substantial experience of collective bargaining, strong leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of employment relations within complex organisations. You'll be a strategic thinker, an influential communicator and a confident relationship-builder who can work effectively with employers, trade unions, members and external stakeholders. A commitment to trade union principles, combined with the credibility to work alongside experienced school and college leaders, will be essential to your success in this role.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will lead and develop the Industrial Relations team, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent service to members nationwide. Working closely with employer groups, trade unions and local representatives, you will oversee negotiations, represent members at key joint negotiating committees, resolve disputes, and help secure the best possible terms, conditions and benefits for members. You will also provide strategic advice across the organisation, ensure compliance with relevant legislation and trade union requirements, support the development of local representatives, and contribute to the organisation's broader industrial relations strategy.

What our client can offer

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and offers a very generous package of benefits including

· Flexible working: Flexible working – a combination of working from home, attending external meetings and events and being in-person at their Leicester HQ as necessary.

· Generous leave: 33 days annual leave + bank holidays.

· Pension: 9% employer contribution.

· Professional development: Ongoing training and peer support.

· Expenses covered: Travel, home-working allowance, and equipment provided.

· Inclusive culture: They welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

They encourage applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

This is a home-based role with travel across England and Wales to meetings and events as required. Reasonable travel expenses, IT and telephone equipment will be provided.

If you’re ready to lead a team that makes a real difference to education leaders and organisations across the UK, they would love to hear from you.

INTERESTED?

The closing date for application is 4pm on Wednesday 5 August 2026.

Interviews will be held in-person, at HQ in Leicester on Wednesday 19 August 2026.

Start date: Tuesday 1 December 2026 but dependent on individual circumstances.

TO APPLY

To download the job description and person specification, follow the link on the 'Apply here' button above (which will take you to Networx Recruitment's website). From there, please complete your email address in the top right-hand box and click on the green 'Apply Now' button and follow the online application process.

ProVeg International is one of the leading international NGOs working to transform the global food system, and is represented in 16 countries with over 270 staff members (a federated network of 15 legal entities). ProVeg faces major opportunities and challenges – empowering our highly dedicated and experienced long-term staff and new talent development and acquisition, the integration of AI, changing funding landscapes, and the growth of our global network, to name but a few. In our work, we are guided by our global TRUe values:

• Transformative: We aim high and design for lasting impact. We prioritise evidence over intuition, pivoting when data demands it, and embracing bold experimentation to create systemic change.

• Reliable: We build trust through accountability. We do what we say we will, or we communicate early and transparently when we can’t, always focusing on quality and respect.

• United: We win together. We actively break down silos, co-create across borders, and share knowledge freely because collective success is our only success.

The role as Head of International People & Culture combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational excellence. Together with the International Senior Talent Acquisition Manager and, when required, specialised external support, you will serve as a vital operational anchor and a trusted advisor to senior leadership. You will shape a united, inclusive, and thriving organisational culture while ensuring our people processes, international compliance frameworks, and global HR systems are robust, efficient, and employee-centred.

Job details:
 

• Reports to: Global CEO (might change to COO once that role is filled in 2027)

• Department: INT People and Culture

• Direct reports: International Senior Talent Acquisition Manager

• Key contacts: Senior Leadership Team, ProVeg Country Directors/leadership teams, International Heads of Departments, P&C leads in ProVeg Countries

• Working hours: 40 hours per week

• Location: Remote (We welcome candidates globally who hold permanent residency and can adhere to a working schedule that includes core collaboration hours of 10 am to 4 pm CET)

• Salary: Depending on location and experience (e.g. NL: €54-64k, UK: £46-60k, PL: zł 140-170k)

• Application deadline: open until filled

• Start date: preferably 01.10.2026

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Culture:

• Develop and implement comprehensive people strategies aligned with our global mission.

• Lead the strategic workforce planning, scaling and organisational growth and expansion of team and talent.

• Provide clear, operational, and strategic advice to executives, country directors, and department heads aimed at high performance, growth, development and progression opportunities, and talent retention.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, offering insights, reports, and data for informed decision-making.

• Work with Finance on annual staff budgeting and the Development department on funding applications and other people-related requests.

• Shape, sustain, and champion an inclusive, diverse, and open organisational culture.

• Collaborate with the Dutch works council of our European Regional Office to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
   

Operational Excellence and Systems:

• Own and continuously improve the day-to-day administration of our international employee lifecycle, ensuring smooth contract management, payroll preparation, and data accuracy.

• Lead the development of a scalable people operations infrastructure through effective use of technology, automation, and process design.

• Oversee and optimise our global HR systems landscape, with primary ownership of platforms such as Deel, Personio, and Leapsome.

• Manage and maintain compliant employment frameworks across relevant jurisdictions, supporting international entity operations and coordinating with external legal partners.

• Set and oversee the departmental budget.
   

Talent and Team Leadership:

• Lead, develop, and inspire our International Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, fostering a collaborative, supportive, and high-impact environment.

• Guide our international recruitment framework and employer branding efforts to attract purpose-driven talent.

• Execute strategies for employee engagement, workplace satisfaction, and global well-being initiatives.

• Lead and support employee relations efforts and strategic reviews.

Qualifications:
 

You bring:

• Extensive international leadership experience in a senior HR or generalist role, with a track record of driving success in mission-driven non-profit organizations of 50+ employees.

• Deep expertise in people operations, international employment practices, and cross-border labour law compliance.

• Hands-on experience implementing and managing global HRIS, payroll, or employer-of-record platforms, ideally including Deel, Personio, or Teamtailor.

• Clear capability to turn operational complexity into simple, structured, and scalable processes.

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster trust and inclusivity across distributed, multicultural teams.

• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• University degree in human resources management, business administration, psychology, law, or an equivalent educational background.
   

Preferred:

• Practical experience working with European legal entities or works councils.

• Familiarity with AI tools and understanding of how AI can be used responsibly to increase efficiency and scale systems.

• Professional language skills in Dutch, providing the confidence to interface directly with regional authorities or local legal advisors.

• Familiarity with project management tools (we use Wrike).

Benefits of working with ProVeg:
 

• A strong organisational focus on personal development, with a designated training budget.

• Provision of a work laptop.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home-office arrangements.

• Career development support.

• Mental health & wellbeing support via access to the OpenUp platform and a free Headspace subscription

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• Generous annual leave entitlement - 25 days increasing by one day a year to a maximum of 30 days (plus bank holidays)

• And, last but not least, become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet!

• Depending on your location, there might be additional benefits.

Further Information

Please apply with your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are motivated to join ProVeg and describe how you can bring in your experience to this role. Even if you do not meet all the requirements, we still encourage you to apply. Our tasks are diverse, and we are flexible in how we distribute them. We are happy to support your growth and development.
We also encourage all applicants to apply without a photo or disclosing their date or place of birth.

If you are living with a disability, health condition and/or neurodiversity, please feel free to let us know how we can adjust and support your application process. For example, we can offer alternative tools, different interview formats, or additional time for tasks.

Important: Please make sure to use your own words and ideas in the cover letter. The goal is for us to know you better in order to assess if this role and your motivation are a good fit. Letters written with AI, or written in a language other than English, will be disregarded.

Application process:

1. Screening of your application

2. Interview with People & Culture (30-40mins)

3. Job related trial task (~ 2 hrs.)

4. Second interview with the team (60mins)

Principal Data Scientist

Remote (UK-based) | Full-time - £104,732 + benefits (including 4.5-day week and 11% employer pension)

Do your best work, for the right reasons.

We're looking for a Principal Data Scientist who can design, build, and champion advanced data science solutions that drive better decisions across Oak.

Oak is a fully remote, mission-driven organisation offering high levels of flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. We're a national not-for-profit working in partnership with teachers to create high-quality, sequenced curriculum and lesson resources for pupils across all subjects and age groups.

Our culture has been independently recognised through:

• Flexa verified (93% overall score, including 95% for working hours and 97% for role modelling)

• Escape the City's Top 1% Employers – based on anonymous colleague reviews of culture, development, and impact

• Investors in People Gold - through external accreditation and colleague feedback

��About the Role

You'll own the continuous improvement of our data science processes and systems: leading the design and deployment of predictive models and NLP applications at scale, setting responsible AI and data governance standards, and translating complex insights into compelling recommendations for senior leaders and cross-functional squads. You'll maintain specialist expertise across machine learning, and statistical analysis, and be a trusted authority—both within Oak and across the education sector.

You'll work closely with our Head of Data and Director of Engineering, contribute to organisational strategy, and partner with EdTech sector leaders, government bodies, and data analytics providers on initiatives that matter. The work is technically rigorous, high-impact, and grounded in a mission to make evidence-informed decision-making the norm in education.

��What You’ll Be Doing:

• Responsible for the continuous improvement across multiple data science processes, systems, vision and strategy.

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced data science solutions, including predictive models and NLP applications, at scale.

• Design and implement responsible AI, data governance, and privacy standards across Oak's data science practice.

• Champion the role of data science in supporting Oak's mission, ensuring evidence-informed decision-making at strategic and operational levels by translating data science insights into product and business decisions.

• Maintain specialist expertise in data science and be an authority across Oak and more widely across the sector.

• As a member of the Oak Team, you may contribute to the strategy, planning and model the culture of the organisation.

• Work in cross-functional and product-oriented squads, translating complex statistical concepts for non-technical colleagues and presenting findings compellingly to senior leaders.

• Deputise for the Head of Data and take on other general responsibilities as required.

�� What we’re looking for

• 5+ years' experience holding responsibility for the continuous improvement of data science processes and systems, including designing and delivering data science products that create measurable organisational value.

• Extensive knowledge of statistical analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, with the ability to select and apply appropriate methods to complex problems.

• A track record of identifying and addressing ethical and privacy considerations in data science, including responsible AI, bias detection, and compliance frameworks.

• Proven experience scoping, designing, and deploying advanced data science solutions (predictive models, NLP applications) at scale, from conception through to production.

• Proven ability to translate complex statistical concepts for non-technical audiences and present findings compellingly to senior leaders and cross-functional squads.

• Experience working in cross-functional, product-oriented environments and influencing strategic and operational decisions through data science insight.

• A good understanding of education policy, the UK education system, and EdTech sector challenges (desirable, not essential).

The successful candidate will have a desire to contribute across all areas to ensure Oak is successful. You will be comfortable working at pace, with a range of digital systems (including proprietary ones as required), and you will continuously look at ways that the team can keep getting better. You will be excellent at working as part of a remote team, building relationships and managing your time effectively.

�� Our Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus one extra day for each year of service (up to 28)

• Additional Oak closure days over Christmas/New Year

• 11% employer pension contribution (with no minimum employee contribution, which can be varied as you choose). Please note this is a workplace pension rather than the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

• A 36-hour working week, with half-days on Fridays or every other Friday off.

• Fully remote working — we’ll support your home set-up and offer coworking options if preferred

• Twice-yearly in-person whole Oak offsites to collaborate, connect, and have fun (with other occasional team events in person)

• A culture that genuinely supports flexibility, autonomy, and trust

�� Inclusion and Belonging

We believe diverse teams build better products. We warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those who are underrepresented in the tech and education sectors. 

If you're from an underrepresented group, there's a good chance you're discounting yourself before you've even started. That's more common than you'd think, and it means we may miss out on brilliant people. If you're excited by this role but don't meet every requirement, please apply anyway.

We use the Applied platform to help reduce bias in our hiring process. Answers are anonymised and reviewed by a panel of humans.

�� Key Info

• Location: Remote, but you must be based in the UK with the legal right to work here

• Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time

• Closing date: We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the role early

If this sounds like the kind of role and team where you could do your life’s best work, we’d love to hear from you.

Next steps

You'll answer a few admin questions followed by some questions about your day-to-day work. Your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised, and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers (real humans), so it's your thinking that gets assessed, not your CV.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next stage, which will consist of a remote Zoom interview.

We love giving feedback, so at the end of the application process, we'll share our assessment of your performance.

Interview dates: week beginning 3rd August 2026.

If this sounds like somewhere you could do your life's best work, we'd love to hear from you.

We're getting strong responses to our roles and we may close applications early. If you're interested, don't leave it too long.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.