Job Purpose
We are seeking a confident and experienced HR & People Manager (Generalist) to join learndirect. This is a hands‑on, autonomous role where you will take ownership of day‑to‑day HR operations while also playing a key role in supporting organisational change, employee relations, and people strategy.
You will act as a trusted HR partner across the business, supporting managers and employees at all levels. You will be responsible for delivering a high‑quality, compliant, and commercially focused HR service in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
This role requires strong generalist HR experience, proven payroll exposure, and the ability to operate independently with minimal supervision. Experience with Employment Hero (or similar HR systems) is highly desirable.
This role will be based in our Bournemouth Head Office.
Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities
HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle
* Manage the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, and off‑boarding.
* Maintain accurate HR records and ensure data integrity across the HR system (Employment Hero preferred).
* Support monthly payroll preparation and validation.
* Act as system owner and first point of contact for HR system queries and reporting.
* Support contractor onboarding and administration.
Employee Relations & Advisory
* Provide clear, confident HR advice to managers and employees on a range of ER matters.
* Manage cases including disciplinary, grievance, absence, and performance issues.
* Support and advise on redundancy, and organisational change.
People Development & Performance
* Support performance management processes, including 1:1s and performance improvement plans.
* Deliver induction sessions for new starters.
* Support the development of management capability through training and guidance.
* Contribute to engagement, recognition, and retention initiatives.
HR Projects & Business Change
* Support HR input into M&A activity, due diligence, and integration harmonisation projects.
* Assist with organisational restructuring and change programmes.
* Provide HR reporting, analysis, and insights to support decision‑making.
* Contribute to board‑level reporting and workforce metrics.
Employer Brand & Engagement
* Support employer branding and social media activity in partnership with Marketing.
* Assist in managing platforms such as Glassdoor and Indeed to enhance candidate and employee experience.
* Support initiatives to improve engagement and reduce attrition and recruitment costs.
Systems, Payroll & Compliance
* Maintain HR systems and ensure accurate data reporting and compliance.
* Support payroll processes, ensuring accuracy of employee data and changes.
* Ensure compliance with UK employment law, GDPR, and internal policies.
* Act as Level 1 User for the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), ensuring full compliance with Home Office requirements.
About You
What we are looking for in you
You are a confident, hands‑on HR professional who enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment where no two days are the same. You are comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership of both operational HR delivery and more complex employee relations matters.
You Will Bring
* 4+ years’ experience in a generalist HR role.
* Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
* Experience managing employee relations cases independently.
* Proven payroll experience and confidence working with HR/payroll data.
* Experience working in fast‑paced, changeable environments.
* HR systems experience (Employment Hero desirable).
* Exposure to redundancy processes.
* Experience with TUPE and/or M&A activity.
You Will Also Be
* Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
* A confident communicator who can influence at all levels.
* Calm under pressure and comfortable managing competing priorities.
* Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to work independently, and is self‑motivated.
* Takes pride in their work, is accurate, punctual, reliable and articulate.
* Discreet and professional when handling sensitive matters.
Desirable
* Understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
* Knowledge of statutory employee relations processes (e.g. disciplinary, absence management, redundancy).
* CIPD level 3 (minimum), and CIPD membership is desirable.
Why work with Us?
* Complete a funded course of your choice after your probation period.
* Excellent holiday allowance plus bank holidays – to include one extra day’s holiday for your birthday / appreciation day.
* £50 Amazon thank you Voucher for your birthday and to say thank you!
* Company pension scheme.
* Refer a friend scheme.
* Inclusive culture and positive working environment to include Employee of the Month and Micro Recognition scheme.
* Staff social events.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer, Always Looking For The Right Talent Based On Merit For Every Position. Learndirect Believes Passionately In Including All Employees Equally In The Learndirect Culture And Mission. We Actively Encourage Diversity Of Thought And Champion Our Talented Individuals.
#J-18808-Ljbffr