At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and support the entire employee life cycle in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a fast-paced company that values autonomy and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement in a vibrant workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the people agenda and make a real impact on business success.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience in generalist HR roles.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Excellent opportunity for a confident and capable HR Manager to take ownership of a standalone HR function within a fast-paced, commercial environment. This is a true generalist role where you will have full responsibility for the end-to-end employee life cycle, partnering closely with managers to deliver practical, commercially focused HR solutions.
Working autonomously, you'll play a key role in shaping the people agenda, supporting business growth, and ensuring a positive and compliant working environment.
The Role
As HR Manager, you will oversee all HR activities, both strategic and operational, acting as the go-to expert for managers and employees across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for all day-to-day HR matters, providing expert, pragmatic advice.
- Manage the full employee life cycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to development, change, and exit.
- Lead recruitment activity, including job design, shortlisting, interviewing, and onboarding.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with managers, supporting them in identifying and addressing people-related needs.
- Support training and development initiatives, helping to build capability across the business.
- Monitor key HR metrics (absence, turnover, recruitment trends), identifying insights and escalating risks.
Employee Relations
- Manage and advise on a wide range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, and performance cases.
- Support organisational change, including redundancy processes, consultation, and restructuring.
- Provide support for TUPE activity where required.
- Lead investigations, produce reports, and guide managers to fair and compliant outcomes.
HR Operations, Policy & Compliance
- Ensure all HR policies and procedures are up-to-date, compliant, and consistently applied.
- Prepare employment contracts, offer letters, and documentation in line with UK employment law.
- Maintain accurate employee records, ensuring GDPR compliance.
- Support payroll processes by coordinating accurate and timely data with the external provider.
- Oversee employee benefits administration and ensure cost awareness/reporting.
- Work independently with limited oversight while aligning to overall business strategy.
About You
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards) or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience in a generalist HR Manager level role, ideally within a fast-paced environment.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, including disciplinary, grievance, TUPE, and redundancy processes.
- Experience managing employee relations cases end-to-end with minimal supervision.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work autonomously.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to quickly build trust and credibility with stakeholders.
- Confident using Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
HR Manager - Standalone in Welwyn Garden City employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic and supportive team as an HR Manager in a fast-paced commercial environment, where your expertise will directly influence the people agenda and business growth. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values employee development and offers opportunities for professional growth, ensuring you have the resources to thrive in your role. With a commitment to compliance and a focus on creating a positive workplace, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager - Standalone in Welwyn Garden City
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing employee relations and supporting business growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can take ownership of the HR function and deliver practical, commercially focused solutions. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager - Standalone in Welwyn Garden City
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing the employee life cycle and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this standalone HR role. Share your passion for HR and how your skills can help shape our people agenda at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your HR Knowledge:In your application, don’t forget to mention your understanding of UK employment law and your experience with employee relations. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know how you’ve tackled similar challenges before!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled, especially around employee relations, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the role.
✨Showcase Your Autonomy
Since this is a standalone position, highlight your ability to work independently. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed HR functions without much oversight, demonstrating your organisational skills and self-motivation.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your experience in building strong relationships with managers and employees. Think of examples where you've partnered with stakeholders to address people-related needs, as this will showcase your collaborative approach and influence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions related to employee relations, recruitment, and compliance. Practice your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your thought process and the practical solutions you've implemented in past roles.
