Think Human Resources is proud to be supporting a well-regarded business in Watford in the recruitment of an experienced HR Manager to cover a 12-month maternity leave. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a company with an open and inclusive culture, where employees are encouraged to share ideas, contribute meaningfully, and thrive in their roles. Candidate must have Generalist experience at HR Manager or HRBP level. As HR Manager, you will take on a strategic business partner role, working closely with senior leaders to support and coach them through day-to-day people matters. This role is suited to someone who is highly adaptable, proactive, and passionate about driving people-first initiatives. You'll join a well-respected HR team that is actively shaping and improving people processes across the organisation. This position is ideal for someone who has worked across a broad range of HR functions and thrives in a fast-paced, non-corporate environment. Experience in talent succession planning and leadership development will be highly advantageous. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage a small HR team (2 direct reports) Review and update HR policies to ensure compliance with UK employment legislation Drive talent and succession planning; support line managers with performance reviews and team development Oversee end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes Identify training and development needs across the organisation Manage the annual performance review cycle; propose initiatives to enhance performance and engagement Provide HR leadership on M&A activity Lead on all aspects of employee relations Oversee compensation, benefits, and monthly payroll support Prepare and deliver monthly HR reports to senior stakeholdersWe are looking for an experienced and well-rounded HR professional who can build strong relationships quickly and operate at both a strategic and hands-on level. Essential Skills & Experience: Experience at HR Manager or HRBP level Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR compliance Proven ability to build effective relationships at all levels of the business Generalist HR background, with experience across both operational and strategic areas Comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment Strong people leadership and coaching skills Hands-on, pragmatic, and solutions-focused approach If you're a people-focused HR leader who enjoys working collaboratively and making a tangible impact, we'd love to hear from you. This role ideally will start from mid-August and therefore to be considered you must be able to start a contract at short notice. Think Human Resources is the HR division of Think Specialist Recruitment, an independently owned recruitment business. The HR division is responsible for recruiting permanent, temporary and contract roles within the field of Human Resources including; HR Administrator, HR Assistant, HR Advisor, HR Business Partner, HR Manager, Head of HR, Employee Relations, talent, internal recruitment, Learning and Development, Compensation and Benefits/Reward and Recognition