Role Overview
The HR Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery of a pragmatic, commercially focused HR function within a growing UK training organisation of approximately 200 employees. This is a hands-on, generalist role focusing on operational execution across the full employee lifecycle.
You will act as a trusted advisor to managers and the SLT, ensuring that people practices support business growth, compliance, and a positive employee experience. The role also includes oversight of payroll processes, employment relations, organisational development, and management of a small HR team with a direct link to the recruitment team.
Key Responsibilities
1. HR Strategy & Leadership
- Support and implement an HR strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans
- Support the leadership team on people-related matters, risks, and opportunities
- Use HR data and insights to inform decision-making and improve organisational performance
- Provide hands-on coaching and support to managers on all aspects of people management, including conflict resolution, performance issues, and team development.
- Develop resources and toolkits for managers to empower them to handle day-to-day HR tasks confidently and consistently.
- Develop the HR function to ensure high-quality, responsive service delivery
2. Employee Relations & Compliance
- Oversee and manage complex employee relations cases (e.g. disciplinaries, grievances, absence management)
- Ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant with UK employment law
- Provide expert guidance to managers on best practice and risk mitigation
- Manage employment tribunal preparation where required
3. Talent, Performance & Development
- Develop, implement, and maintain effective performance management frameworks, including the design and execution of the annual review cycle.
- Integrate performance management outcomes with compensation, employee development plans, and succession planning.
- Deliver comprehensive training for managers on key skills such as goal setting, coaching, navigating difficult conversations, and conducting accurate performance assessments.
- Lead learning and development initiatives to foster and reinforce a training-focused company culture.
- Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, including role profiling, sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding, to ensure a high-quality talent pipeline.
- Partner with hiring managers to identify talent needs, advise on job specifications, and train them on effective interviewing techniques.
4. Payroll & HR Operations
- Oversee the end-to-end payroll process
- Compliance with UK payroll legislation (HMRC, pensions, benefits)
- Maintain HR systems and ensure data integrity (HRIS and reporting)
- Continuously improve HR processes for efficiency and scalability
5. Culture & Employee Experience
- Champion company values and foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture
- Lead employee engagement initiatives and act on feedback
- Support wellbeing initiatives and promote work-life balance
- Ensure consistency in employee experience across teams and locations
6. Line Management
- Support and collaborate with the Senior HR Coordinator
- Allocate workload and ensure effective delivery of HR operations
- Support capability development within the HR function
Key Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in an HR generalist or HR Manager role
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience managing employee relations cases end-to-end
- Payroll oversight experience (knowledge of UK payroll processes and compliance)
- Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a standalone/lean team function
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Experience managing at least one direct report
Desirable
- Experience within a training, education, or professional services environment
- CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Experience implementing or optimising HR systems
- Exposure to fast-growth or change environments
Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
