As the first in-house HR hire for this organisation, this HR Manager role will therefore be a standalone and generalist HR role to set up and build out the HR function.
This will involve bringing structure and clarity to how we manage, engage, and retain our people - while ensuring we continue to meet ambitious business goals.
Client Details
With their head office in Marlow, our client is a fully integrated creative marketing agency and consultancy.
They would describe their culture fun, friendly and fast-paced, within a high growth environment.
They are scaling quickly and by hiring this role they want to ensure that their internal people infrastructure matches the scale and ambition of their external brand.
Description
As the first in-house HR hire for this organisation, this Standalone HR Manager role will therefore be a generalist HR role to set up and build out the HR function.
This will involve bringing structure and clarity to how we manage, engage, and retain our people - while ensuring we continue to meet ambitious business goals.
Your key responsibilities will include:
Centralising and professionalising all people-related processes within the agency and ensuring internal compliance and adoption of policies and processes.
Partnering with the MD and Culture Lead on people and culture strategies to ensure HR initiatives align with business growth and agency culture.
Reducing staff churn and mitigating business risk by ensuring we have the best and happiest talent that feels supported and appreciated
Supporting line managers with performance management issues and managing ER cases.
Building our employer brand and driving internal recruitment process, working with external partners as needed to attract a pipeline of talent.
Improving staff & leadership development, performance and retention.
Owning, interpreting, and acting on all staff feedback. This role is offered on a hybrid basis - you will work from the Marlow office 3 days per week.
Profile
To apply for the role of Standalone HR Manager, your profile will closely match the following:
You will already have strong HRM-level generalist HR experience within an SME business, ideally within a Founder-led business.
It would be highly advantageous if you have experience setting up an HR function from scratch.
Thrives in fast-paced and dynamic entrepreneurial environments.
Experience working for a marketing agency would be the dream!
Is equally as happy contributing at the board level on strategy, as you are rolling up your sleeves for hands-on execution.
Has experience directly engaging and influencing SME founders and leadership teams.
Possesses commercial awareness: Understands the broader business objectives and how HR can be a lever to achieve them-not a blocker.
Strikes the right balance between employee advocacy and business pragmatism.
Truly understands and respect employee rights, whilst also demonstrating a clear commercial mindset.
Is able to influence senior leadership to view people strategy as a driver of commercial success rather than simply a cost centre.
Has balanced judgement: Can uphold employment law and HR best practices while recognising when flexibility, nuance, or compromise is needed.
Is people-centric, with backbone: Genuinely cares for people and culture but isn't afraid to make tough decisions when necessary.
Is strategic & operational: Can contribute at the board level on strategy, while also rolling up sleeves for hands-on execution.
Is a strong communicator: Can articulate both employee and business needs clearly, building trust with leadership and staff alike.
Has change management experience: Comfortable leading organisations through periods of change, transformation, or restructuring.
Is analytical & solutions focused: Can collate, analyse and interpret staff data to inform and drive people policies throughout the business.
Has experience working in business going through rapid growth and change.
Is comfortable working as team of one (with support from external partners and our Office Manager). Must be able to work from the Marlow office 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
Job Offer
This Standalone HR Manager role offers the following:
Competitive salary circa £50,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on experience/capability.
8% bonus potential.
25 days holiday, plus your birthday off (plus Bank Holidays).
Pension scheme with 5% employee and 3% employer contributions.
Company wellbeing programme including a free counselling service as needed