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CIPD Level 5 qualified | SME experience | Strategic & hands-on HR leadership
The Smith Institute was founded on the belief that successfully harnessing mathematical ways of thinking creates innovative and effective solutions to the most pressing challenges in business and society. Our commitment to this approach has never wavered.
The value we deliver to customers comes from being able to frame and understand complex problems, to describe and analyse them mathematically, and to communicate the outcomes in actionable terms.
The strength of this intellectual positioning is what makes us distinctive in our offering, and it is a strength that is growing in recognition. We are currently experiencing growth of profile and opportunity across our key sectors. With this comes growth of our team and our people in both size and professional development.
We’re looking for a proactive and accomplished HR Manager to join our outstanding team. Reporting to the Head of Executive Administration and working closely with the CEO, you will lead our HR function during a pivotal period of growth as we scale from a small to medium-sized enterprise.
You’ll play a key role in shaping the employee experience, embedding best practice, supporting strong employee relations, and helping to build a high-performing, inclusive workplace. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR professional who thrives in a dynamic, people-focused environment and is eager to grow with the business.
Key responsibilities
* Lead the HR function, providing strategic and day-to-day HR support to ~65 staff and Directors
* Advise senior leaders on HR strategy, employee relations, and organisational development
* Manage HR policies, compliance, and training to ensure alignment with current legislation and business needs
* Coach and support line managers, fostering confident and inclusive people leadership
* Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and development of our Employee Value Proposition
* Partner cross-functionally (e.g. Operations and Staff Flourishing) to deliver a seamless employee lifecycle
* Develop and support our HR Assistant in their role and career
* Manage HR systems (BambooHR) and data compliance
* Monitor HR metrics and drive engagement, retention, and continuous improvement
* Handle complex HR and ER matters with professionalism, discretion and care
* Support your own professional growth, with the opportunity to evolve your role as the business scales
What we're looking for
* CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent experience); aspiration toward Level 7 is supported
* Strong HR generalist experience, ideally in a small business or professional services setting
* In-depth knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations
* Experience managing recruitment, performance, policy development and workforce engagement
* Excellent communication, problem-solving, and coaching skills
* Proven ability to manage and develop early-career HR team members
Desirable
* Experience in a hybrid or remote-first environment
* Familiarity with professional, highly academic or knowledge-driven teams
* Gravitas and empathy to engage confidently across all levels of the business
Why work at Smith Institute?
* Flexible working – Work your contracted hours in the way that suits you and our team, hybrid with at least two days a week in our Oxford office
* Health and well-being – Enhanced sick pay, mental health first aiders, and family support leave.
* Generous benefits – Life assurance, income protection, and a leading pension scheme.
* Challenging, purposeful work – Help shape solutions that have real-world impact and technical depth.
Further details
We operate an Equal Opportunities Policy. We currently have a rolling recruitment programme so applications will be reviewed as they are received, with a view to interviewing selected candidates when sufficient numbers are shortlisted. We hope to make appointments as soon as possible thereafter.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Other
Job function
* Job function
Human Resources
* Industries
Business Consulting and Services
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