HR Manager – Manchester, Newcastle or Harrogate
Hempsons Manchester, England, United Kingdom
About the Firm
Hempsons is a leading law firm specialising in health and social care, charity and social enterprise sectors, with over 250 staff across five offices nationwide. We aim to provide outstanding legal services while fostering a culture that makes us a great place to work.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to join our HR team at one of our Manchester, Newcastle or Harrogate offices. The role is based locally but supports the HR team nationally and provides strategic and operational HR support across the firm.
Responsibilities
1. New Employees, Induction and Probation
* Oversee the induction of all new staff and liaise with other departments to ensure 1‑month, 3‑month and 6‑month reviews are completed and documentation returned.
* Alert the Head of HR if a staff member may fail probation.
2. Employee Relations
* Provide day‑to‑day advice and guidance on all aspects of employee relations, including disciplinary, grievance and equality and diversity matters.
* Act as investigating officer where appropriate, keep notes and make recommendations.
* Attend disciplinary hearings as a panel member where relevant, keeping proceedings notes.
* Maintain disciplinary and grievance records and ensure staff are monitored and reviewed at the correct times.
3. Performance Review
* Oversee the annual performance management/appraisal process, ensuring forms are completed for all eligible staff.
4. Salary Review (including promotion process)
* Assist the Head of HR with salary reviews, market research and producing salary charts for each office and staff group.
* Prepare and distribute salary review notifications.
* Support the annual formal fee‑earner promotion process.
5. Absence Monitoring
* Keep sickness records up to date.
* Conduct absence interviews for staff exceeding agreed absence thresholds and document the findings.
* Monitor long‑term sickness and liaise with the Head of HR when required.
6. Payroll
* Serve as the first point of contact for partners, employees and finance on all payroll matters.
* Provide accurate payroll information to Finance each month, covering leavers, joiners, salary or hours changes.
* Issue relevant letters and update the HR system.
* Ensure compliance with legislative changes.
7. Compensation and Benefits
* Support the Head of HR with benefits package renewal and pay review processes.
* Prepare leaver letters and conduct exit interviews.
* Submit recruitment business case forms to line managers.
8. Internal Communications
* Lead drafting of firm‑wide HR communications.
* Maintain the HR team’s SharePoint page on the intranet.
9. HR System
* Act as the main point of contact for PeopleHR, ensuring data integrity and efficient use.
* Review policies in line with agreed dates and keep the policy review spreadsheet current.
* Draft new policies and stay updated with legislative changes.
10. Recruitment
* Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager to support expedient recruitment in line with firm policy.
* Ensure recruitment requests are supported by business case, candidate specification, job description, and budget approval.
* Coordinate employment offers and agency communication.
11. HR Projects
* Lead and deliver firm‑wide HR projects and initiatives to improve culture, engagement and retention.
12. Other Duties
* Any additional duties reasonably directed by the Head of HR.
Requirements
* Experience as a manager delivering HR responsibilities.
* At least one year of generalist HR experience at a manager level in a professional services environment (law firm ideal).
* Handling of employee relations cases.
* Full TUPE process experience (in and out).
* Lead or participate in HR change‑management projects.
* Commercial approach when making recommendations.
* Strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Excellent interpersonal skills across all levels.
* Recruitment interview experience.
* Desirable: graduate recruitment process experience.
* Strong academics (CIPD qualified, part‑CIPD, bachelor’s degree or equivalent; industry experience may substitute a degree).
* Experience reviewing and drafting HR policies and handbooks.
* Sound knowledge of current employment legislation and best practice.
* IT skills: Outlook, Word, Excel, and capacity to learn PeopleHR.
What We Offer
Our benefits package enables all colleagues to thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment, including private health insurance, life assurance, critical illness cover, cycle‑to‑work scheme, season ticket loans and more.
Equal Opportunities
Hempsons is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and encouraging diversity through recruitment. Applications are welcome from all community members and decisions are made with reference to objective criteria only.
Hybrid Working
Hybrid working aligns with the firm’s guidance – a minimum of 2 days per week in the office is required.
Working Hours
Advertised hours are 09:00–17:00, but staff may be required to work additional hours, sometimes at short notice, to meet business needs.
Additional Information
This job description is not contractual and may be amended or revised from time to time.
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