Job Description Job Title: HR Manager Reporting To: HR Employee Relations Lead Location: Southampton, SO15 1EG Type: Permanent Salary: £35,663 Mode: On-site Note: The role may require UK-wide travel, including occasional overnight stays. Job Purpose: The HR Manager will be responsible for providing expert support and guidance on a range of employee relations matters. This includes managing complex HR casework, ensuring fair and consistent resolutions in line with employment law and company policies. The role also involves partnering with managers and stakeholders to foster a positive workplace culture, mitigate risk, and uphold best practice in employee relations. Key Responsibilities: Manage a portfolio of employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, attendance, probation, and redundancy. Support the management of employment tribunals and personal injury claims by working with senior leaders, legal teams, and witnesses to prepare evidence and ensure individual support. Collaborate with HR Business Partners to promote effective performance management and address under performance appropriately. Lead on the implementation and communication of policy changes, including updates to the Staff Handbook. Monitor and maintain casework management information (MI), identifying trends, risks, and areas for improvement. Drive continuous improvement in employee relations processes, ensuring recommendations and actions are implemented promptly. Coordinate the appointment and training of investigation, decision, and appeal managers. Ensure adherence to statutory legislation, government requirements, and agreed timescales, providing coaching and support to managers when required. Essential Criteria: Qualification: CIPD Level 5 qualification or willingness to work towards it. Experience: Demonstrated knowledge of employment law and experience managing complex HR casework. Excellent communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage shifting priorities. Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with senior leaders and external service providers. Step Ahead is acting as an Employment Agency. Step Ahead is committed to preventing discrimination in its recruitment practices by stimulating genuine equality of opportunity. This means that everyone is treated solely on the basis of competence and merit, regardless of age, gender, marital status, sexuality, ethnicity, racial, religious or disability considerations, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.