Job Description
Location: Manchester or Liverpool
Job summary:
The HR Manager will act as the strategic and operational lead for all HR activities across Mediline Supported Living’s services.
This role is responsible for delivering compliant, commercially aligned and people-focused HR management across multiple regulated supported living services. The HR Manager will oversee employee relations, recruitment, workforce planning, policy development and HR compliance, ensuring alignment with employment law and CQC standards.
Operating as the senior internal HR professional, the role requires strong professional judgement, the ability to manage complex casework independently, and confidence in advising senior leaders. The HR Manager will use workforce data and reporting to inform decision-making, mitigate risk and support sustainable growth. The HR Manager will drive a first point-of-contact HR service model, aiming to improve employee experience, increase efficiency, and enable faster inquiry resolution.
You will oversee a team of regional HR officers. This position is highly visible and requires on-site presence.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background within the supported living and healthcare sector, with a proven track record in driving growth.
Company Overview:
Mediline Supported Living is a leading provider of supported living services, offering high-quality care and support to individuals with a range of needs, including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental health conditions. Our mission is to promote independence and improve the quality of life for the people we support through tailored support plans and a compassionate approach.
Mediline Supported Living is owned by Birch Faraday Capital, an award winning operating group focused on acquiring and growing outstanding businesses with a remarkable reputation for high-quality service and product delivery.
Main Duties / Responsibilities:
Strategic HR Leadership:
* Act as the senior internal HR lead, advising the Managing Director and Senior Management Team on people strategy, workforce risks and compliance
* Develop and deliver a people strategy aligned with organisational growth, workforce optimisation and operational objectives
* Lead strategic HR initiatives including retention, performance improvement, engagement and change management
* Provide regular workforce reporting and insights to support decision-making and sustainable growth
Employee Relations & Case Management:
* Lead and manage disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and performance processes
* Conduct investigations and support formal hearings and appeals
* Ensure all casework is managed proportionately, fairly and in line with employment law and best practice
* Advise and coach managers to ensure legally compliant and consistent decision-making
Recruitment & Workforce Planning:
* Oversee end-to-end recruitment across all service locations, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment standards (DBS, references, right-to-work)
* Develop recruitment strategies to reduce vacancies and reliance on agency staffing
* Support workforce planning aligned with service demand, growth and regulatory requirements
* Oversee onboarding and induction to ensure staff are fully compliant before undertaking regulated work
HR Compliance & Reporting:
* Maintain accurate, secure and audit-ready HR systems, policies and personnel records in line with employment law and GDPR
* Oversee compliance tracking including right-to-work checks and statutory documentation
* Analyse workforce data (turnover, sickness, vacancies, training) to identify risks and trends
* Produce KPI and compliance reports and support internal audits and external inspections
Payroll, Pensions & Administration Oversight:
* Partner with finance and payroll to ensure accurate processing of starters, leavers and contractual changes
* Oversee pension administration and statutory obligations
* Monitor annual leave, absence tracking and HR record accuracy
* Ensure HR documentation and processes remain audit-ready and compliant
Learning, Development & Performance Management:
* Support appraisal frameworks and performance management processes across services
* Identify training and development needs with operational leaders
* Monitor supervision and appraisal compliance
* Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and professional development
Employee Engagement & Welfare:
* Promote a culture of dignity, respect and inclusion across the organisation
* Support wellbeing initiatives and engagement activities, particularly during periods of change
* Oversee the handling of sensitive concerns (bullying, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing) confidentially and fairly
* Contribute to reward, recognition and culture-building initiatives
Skills & Competencies:
* Strong UK employment law and employee relations expertise
* Experience in regulated environments (supported living or healthcare preferred)
* Ability to manage complex HR casework independently
* Strategic thinker with strong operational execution
* Proficient in HR systems and workforce reporting
* Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management
* Able to work autonomously across multiple locations
* Strong coaching and influencing skills
* Project management capability
* Highly organised and able to multitask
Qualifications & Experience:
* CIPD Level 5 or above (Level 7 desirable)
* Degree in HR or related discipline (desirable)
* Proven experience in an HR management role
* Experience supporting multiple service locations or operational sites preferred
* Experience within supported living, healthcare or a similarly regulated sector is highly desirable
* Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
Personal Attributes:
* Sound professional judgement and integrity
* Resilient and able to manage competing priorities
* Pragmatic and solution-focused
* High attention to detail and strong risk awareness
* Committed to supporting high-quality care through effective workforce leadership
* Passionate about delivering high-quality supported living services