We're partnering with a growing organisation to find an experienced HR Lead who thrives in an empowerment‑led environment. This is a varied, high‑impact role – a blend of strategic advisory work and hands‑on project delivery – with a realistic path to a permanent position for the right person.
This business believes in keeping people management close to the ground. Line managers own their teams – hiring, performance, development, day‑to‑day conversations – and they're proud of that culture. What they need now is a senior HR professional who can strengthen that model: a trusted expert who coaches and upskills managers, ensures consistency and compliance, and steps in at the right moment as an escalation and advisory point.
You won't be managing a team, but you will have real influence. The role comes with an initial portfolio of projects to get your teeth into – and if you're the kind of person who uncovers opportunities and makes a role their own, there is every chance the scope grows significantly from there. For the right person, this is a genuine chance to shape what HR looks like in this business for years to come.
* Salary (pro rated):£50,000 - £55,000
* Contract type:FTC - view to permanent
* Working pattern:3 or 4 days per week, 2 days in office per week
* Location:Hertfordshire
* Commutable from:Luton, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Stevenage, Hitchin
What you'll be doing
* Acting as the go‑to HR expert for line managers – providing guidance, coaching, and escalation support rather than doing the day‑to‑day for them
* Reinforcing and developing a culture where managers feel capable and confident leading their own people conversations
* Delivering a range of strategic HR projects that will have a tangible impact across the business
* Ensuring policies, processes and practices are fit for purpose, legally sound, and consistently applied
* Partnering with senior leadership to provide HR insight that informs business decisions
What we're looking for
* A seasoned HR professional with a strong generalist background – CIPD Level 5 as a minimum, with Level 7 preferred
* Someone who genuinely believes in empowering managers rather than centralising HR activity
* Proven experience advising and influencing at a senior level
* Comfortable leading projects independently in a fast‑moving environment
* A self‑starter who sees opportunity, takes initiative, and makes a role their own
* Excellent judgment, communication skills, and the confidence to challenge when needed
* Based within a commutable distance of Hertfordshire – 2 days per week in the office is expected
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