Head of HR

HR Manager (Head of HR)

Location: Luton (Hybrid – Minimum 3 Days On-Site)

Travel: Occasional travel to a secondary UK site (1-2 times per year)

Team: HR Business Partner + HR Administrator

Employees Supported: 165 employees across two UK locations

Overview

First Achieve Engineering is supporting a long-established engineering and manufacturing business in their search for a strategic and people-focused HR Manager. This is a key leadership role responsible for guiding the HR function, shaping strategic initiatives, and supporting a workforce of over 160 employees. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing HR team and take ownership of several high-impact people projects already underway.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Lead and deliver the company\’s HR Strategy built around three core pillars: Attract, Retain, and Forward Plan.
• Partner with senior leadership to drive a long-term, progressive approach to people development and organisational culture.

Team Management

• Line manage and support a HR Business Partner and HR Administrator, ensuring a high standard of service delivery across both operational and strategic HR activity.

Employee Engagement

• Take ownership of a recently launched Employee Engagement Survey, driving all follow-up actions including communication, focus groups, strategic planning and implementing improvements.

Learning & Development

• Roll out and monitor a newly approved training programme, including:

• Dignity & Respect workshops
• A multi-module Management Development Programme for all people leaders

Succession Planning & Workforce Development

• Continue the development of a structured Succession Planning framework, addressing role-critical skills, future risk areas, and long-term workforce sustainability.
• Build on existing documentation and support leadership in developing readiness plans.

Employer Branding & Early Careers

• Expand and strengthen School Outreach activity, creating pathways for apprentices, trainees and local talent.
• Support wider employer branding initiatives to enhance visibility within the local community.

Generalist HR Leadership

• Oversee all core HR processes across the full employee lifecycle, including ER, organisational development, policy review, workforce planning, and talent support.
• Promote a proactive, people-first approach within the HR function.

Key Priorities for the First 6-12 Months

• Lead actions and outcomes from the Employee Engagement Survey.
• Drive the rollout of the Management Development Programme.
• Advance the business\’s Succession Planning agenda.
• Build on School Outreach and early careers partnerships.
• Maintain the strategic HR direction that is now established within the business.

Working Pattern

• Hybrid working available with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site at the main site.
• Occasional travel to a secondary location (1-2 times per year).

Ideal Candidate

• Strong HR generalist background with proven experience in strategic HR delivery.
• Confident working closely with senior leadership teams.
• Skilled in L&D, engagement, succession planning, and cultural development.
• Passionate about driving positive organisational change and developing people capability.

Why Work For Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits packages.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• Generous annual leave with the option to purchase additional days.
• Contributory pension plan with associated life assurance.
• Recognition reward schemes.
• Healthcare scheme with cash back on medical services (dental, optical, etc.).
• Virtual GP service and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Wide range of employee discounts, including gyms, high street and online retailers.