At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver people strategy while leading HR initiatives for a growing organisation.
- Company: Dynamic company in Peterborough focused on people development and high-performance culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, private medical cover, and career development support.
- Why this job: Join a leadership team and make a real impact on employee engagement and culture.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 minimum, with strong HR management experience and knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth with international expansion and a focus on wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 48500 £ per year.
HR & People Manager
Location:Peterborough
Salary: £42,500 £48,500 per year
Job Type: Full-time
Full Job Description
We are recruiting for an experienced HR & People Manager to join a growing organisation, playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the people strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this role combines HR compliance and policies with a strong focus on developing people and building a high-performance culture.
You will support a workforce of around 95 employees across the UK and South Africa, ensuring effective recruitment, structured onboarding, and robust training roadmaps are in place across all departments. You will also lead a part-time HR Support Lead, ensuring smooth day-to-day processes while building scalable HR structures for future growth.
As the business continues to expand through acquisitions and international growth, you will be central to integrating new teams, aligning policies and contracts, and embedding culture consistently across the organisation. This is a hands-on and strategic position, balancing strong HR practices with driving growth through talent attraction, development, and retention.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership Team
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Act as a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, shaping business strategy and growth through people.
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Hold managers accountable for developing their teams and delivering people roadmaps.
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Report on people KPIs (turnover, training, engagement, recruitment costs) to senior leadership.
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Implement strategies that enable managers and team members to succeed.
Training & Development
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Design and deliver a company-wide training and development framework.
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Build role-specific training roadmaps for Sales, Technical, Operations, and Support functions.
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Ensure leaders deliver effective onboarding and product training.
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Coordinate external training programmes (e.g. professional certifications, leadership development).
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Oversee appraisals, 121s, and performance reviews to drive continuous improvement.
HR Management
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Lead all HR matters including absence, performance, conduct, and capability management.
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Chair disciplinary, grievance, and capability hearings.
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Ensure compliance with employment law, GDPR, TUPE, and health & safety regulations.
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Review and update HR policies, procedures, and staff handbook.
Recruitment & Onboarding
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Lead recruitment campaigns, building both agency and direct talent pipelines.
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Manage new starter processes (contracts, offers, right-to-work, inductions).
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Deliver structured onboarding programmes to ensure consistency across all departments.
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Manage leaver processes to capture feedback and improve retention.
Engagement & Culture
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Run engagement surveys and deliver action plans to strengthen culture.
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Support wellbeing initiatives, reward schemes, and inclusion strategies.
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Track eNPS and lead improvements in employee engagement.
Strategic HR
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Provide workforce planning insights linking headcount to business growth.
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Support international HR processes in partnership with local providers.
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Lead people integration during acquisitions, including TUPE and contract harmonisation.
Requirements
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CIPD Level 5 (minimum), Level 7 desirable.
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Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR compliance.
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Experience designing and embedding training and onboarding frameworks.
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Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and hold managers accountable.
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Excellent organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
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Commercially minded, balancing people strategy with business performance.
Benefits
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Competitive Salary (£42,500 £48,500 per year)
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22 days holiday + bank holidays (increasing with service, up to 27 days)
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Pension with employer contributions
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Private Medical Cover (AXA Health Care Plan)
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Life Assurance (Death in Service)
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Free on-site parking
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Annual Leadership Team bonus (subject to targets)
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CIPD support and career development
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Wellbeing days, team events, and incentives
Experience Required:
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Minimum 3 years HR Management experience
Work Location: In-person
HR Manager in Peterborough employer: Commercial Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Commercial Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field. Attend local events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that HR Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals. Remember, they want to see how you can contribute to their people strategy!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications. A quick email to express your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates. It shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Use our website to apply directly for the HR Manager role. We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out. Plus, it’s a great way to show you’re keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR & People Manager role. Highlight your experience in shaping people strategies and managing HR compliance, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in recruitment, training, and employee engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for HR and how you can contribute to our growing organisation. Mention your experience with international teams and how you’ve successfully integrated new cultures in the past.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you’ve achieved! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact on previous organisations, like improvements in employee engagement or successful training programmes you've implemented.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commercial Recruitment
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and HR compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented policies in the past and how they align with the company's goals. This role is all about shaping people strategy, so show them you know your stuff!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to influence and hold managers accountable. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to developing high-performance cultures.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life HR situations, like handling grievances or leading recruitment campaigns. Think through your past experiences and prepare to share specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Engagement and Culture Focus
This role involves running engagement surveys and improving company culture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with employee engagement initiatives and how you've contributed to a positive workplace environment. Show them you're passionate about building a great culture!