HR Manager (Standalone)
Location: Chester
Salary: £40,000–£45,000, depending on experience
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working pattern: Hybrid – three days per week in the Chester office
Are you an experienced HR Manager looking for a standalone position where you can take ownership of an entire people function?
We are recruiting a confident and proactive HR Manager for an established and growing organisation employing approximately 80 people. This varied, hands-on role covers employee relations, HR operations, payroll administration, compliance, recruitment and employee engagement.
As the organisation’s principal HR contact, you will work closely with managers across the business, providing practical advice and helping them handle people matters consistently and confidently.
This is an excellent opportunity to shape a practical people plan, improve HR processes and make a visible contribution to workplace culture.
The Role
As the standalone HR Manager, your responsibilities will include:
- Advising managers on absence, conduct, capability, performance and grievances
- Managing employee relations cases, including disciplinary, consultation and dismissal processes
- Producing clear and accurate employee relations documentation
- Using specialist employment law support when appropriate
- Developing and delivering a practical people plan
- Improving employee retention, attendance, workplace behaviours and management capability
- Maintaining HR policies, templates and the Employee Handbook
- Managing employee records, HR information, reports and compliance checks
- Coordinating recruitment, contracts, onboarding and induction
- Completing pre-employment and right-to-work checks
- Monitoring probation periods, performance reviews and mandatory training
- Preparing accurate monthly information for the outsourced payroll provider
- Supporting pension, benefits and payroll queries
- Leading employee engagement, recognition and internal communication initiatives
- Producing reports covering headcount, absence, turnover, vacancies and training
- Supporting organisational change, consultations and restructures
About You
You will be a credible and resilient HR professional who is comfortable operating independently in a busy, hands-on environment.
You should have:
- Previous experience as an HR Manager or in a comparable generalist HR position
- The confidence and experience to manage a standalone HR function
- Strong practical employee relations experience
- Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience managing absence, disciplinary, grievance, capability, consultation and dismissal processes
- The ability to balance strategic priorities with operational responsibilities
- Experience improving HR processes and creating practical people plans
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills
- Excellent organisation, accuracy and attention to detail
- Confidence using HR systems, employee data, spreadsheets and payroll information
- A CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience, ideally
Salary and Benefits
- £40,000–£45,000, depending on experience
- Five weeks’ paid holiday plus eight bank holidays
- Hybrid working, with three days per week in the Chester office
- Company pension scheme
- Health and employee discount benefits
- Investment in relevant professional training
- Access to specialist employment law support
- The opportunity to shape the organisation’s people agenda
What’s Next?
If you are an experienced HR Manager who enjoys taking ownership, solving practical problems and making a tangible difference, we would love to hear from you.
Not Quite the Right Fit?
If you are an HR Manager seeking something different in terms of location or salary, please get in touch. We may have other suitable opportunities. If you know someone who would be interested, we would also be pleased to hear from them.
INDLAN
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Human resources: 5 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chester CH1 4HZ
