Role Overview

The HR Manager is responsible for supporting the delivery of a pragmatic, commercially focused HR function within a growing UK training organisation of approximately 200 employees. This is a hands-on, generalist role focusing on operational execution across the full employee lifecycle.

You will act as a trusted advisor to managers and the SLT, ensuring that people practices support business growth, compliance, and a positive employee experience. The role also includes oversight of payroll processes, employment relations, organisational development, and management of a small HR team with a direct link to the recruitment team.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Strategy & Leadership

• Support and implement an HR strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans
• Support the leadership team on people-related matters, risks, and opportunities
• Use HR data and insights to inform decision-making and improve organisational performance
• Provide hands-on coaching and support to managers on all aspects of people management, including conflict resolution, performance issues, and team development.
• Develop resources and toolkits for managers to empower them to handle day-to-day HR tasks confidently and consistently.
• Develop the HR function to ensure high-quality, responsive service delivery

2. Employee Relations & Compliance

• Oversee and manage complex employee relations cases (e.g. disciplinaries, grievances, absence management)
• Ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant with UK employment law
• Provide expert guidance to managers on best practice and risk mitigation
• Manage employment tribunal preparation where required

3. Talent, Performance & Development

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective performance management frameworks, including the design and execution of the annual review cycle.
• Integrate performance management outcomes with compensation, employee development plans, and succession planning.
• Deliver comprehensive training for managers on key skills such as goal setting, coaching, navigating difficult conversations, and conducting accurate performance assessments.
• Lead learning and development initiatives to foster and reinforce a training-focused company culture.
• Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, including role profiling, sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding, to ensure a high-quality talent pipeline.
• Partner with hiring managers to identify talent needs, advise on job specifications, and train them on effective interviewing techniques.

4. Payroll & HR Operations

• Oversee the end-to-end payroll process
• Compliance with UK payroll legislation (HMRC, pensions, benefits)
• Maintain HR systems and ensure data integrity (HRIS and reporting)
• Continuously improve HR processes for efficiency and scalability

5. Culture & Employee Experience

• Champion company values and foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and act on feedback
• Support wellbeing initiatives and promote work-life balance
• Ensure consistency in employee experience across teams and locations

6. Line Management

• Support and collaborate with the Senior HR Coordinator
• Allocate workload and ensure effective delivery of HR operations
• Support capability development within the HR function

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in an HR generalist or HR Manager role
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Experience managing employee relations cases end-to-end
• Payroll oversight experience (knowledge of UK payroll processes and compliance)
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a standalone/lean team function
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience managing at least one direct report

Desirable

• Experience within a training, education, or professional services environment
• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Experience implementing or optimising HR systems
• Exposure to fast-growth or change environments

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person