The HR Manager leads the organisation's approach to employee relations, ensuring a consistent, fair, and values-aligned framework that supports both organisational growth and the wellbeing of our people. Sitting within the People Team, this role is responsible for setting the tone and direction for how we manage complex people issues—balancing legal compliance, risk management, and a pragmatic, person-centred approach.
As the strategic lead for employee relations, the HR Manager provides expert guidance on high-risk or sensitive cases, while overseeing the consistent application of policy and practice across the business. The role also line-manages the People Advisor, supporting their continued professional development and deepening their confidence, judgement, and operational impact.
A core focus of this role is to strengthen the people management capability across the organisation. Working closely with the L&D Lead and People Advisor, the HR Manager designs and delivers interventions to equip managers with the skills, mindset, and tools to lead confidently and consistently. This includes championing a culture of early resolution, trauma-informed practice, and commercial awareness in all aspects of people management.
The HR Manager is both hands-on and forward-looking—combining operational rigour with strategic insight to improve policies, strengthen line manager capability, and ensure that the organisation's people practices are legally sound, culturally aligned, and commercially fit for purpose.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Relations Leadership
* Leads the organisation's employee relations approach, ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant practices across all areas of people management.
* Provides expert advice on complex or high-risk cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, restructures, TUPE, performance management, and safeguarding.
* Oversees the application of HR policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for clarity, consistency, and improvement.
* Champions early intervention and resolution, helping managers address issues promptly and confidently.
Line Management & Team Development
* Line-manages and develops the People Advisor, providing coaching, stretch opportunities, and structured professional development.
* Supports the Advisor's growth in judgement, risk assessment, and pragmatic problem-solving—helping them evolve into a high-impact HR practitioner.
* Collaborates with the Director of People on team planning, professional standards, and People Team ways of working.
Line Manager Capability & Engagement
* Partners with the L&D Lead and People Advisor to design and deliver interventions that improve line manager confidence and skill in people management.
* Develops and delivers manager training, toolkits, and guidance that reinforce values, clarity, and commercial thinking in day-to-day leadership.
* Acts as a visible point of support and challenge for managers navigating people challenges, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and accountability.
Commerciality & Organisational Alignment
* Ensures all HR advice and ER outcomes are proportionate, risk-aware, and commercially sound, balancing people needs with organisational priorities.
* Provides insight and input into workforce planning, organisational change, and policy development from a pragmatic, people-focused perspective.
* Works closely with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment of HR activity with business needs.
Continuous Improvement & Culture
* Reviews and improves HR policies, processes, and documentation to ensure legal compliance, cultural relevance, and accessibility.
* Supports the embedding of trauma-informed, inclusive, and reflective people practices across the organisation.
* Contributes to wider People projects that strengthen culture, engagement, and the overall employee experience.
Please note this role is fully office based
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £47,000.00-£52,000.00 per year
Experience:
* Team management: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person