At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, support recruitment, and enhance employee relations in a collaborative environment.
- Company: A growing professional services organisation with a supportive culture and strong client relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, birthday leave, and flexible working options after six months.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's careers in a warm, family-like atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience, knowledge of UK employment law, and CIPD qualification preferred.
- Other info: Enjoy regular social events and clear development opportunities in a thriving workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Your new role
Hays is proud to be partnering with a growing professional services organisation in the Essex/Greater London area. With a strong reputation, trusted client relationships, and a genuinely supportive culture, they blend longstanding credibility with an ambitious, modern outlook. People truly sit at the heart of the organisation, and employees thrive in a collaborative environment where ideas are welcomed, development is encouraged, and career journeys genuinely matter.
In this broad and handsâon People Manager role, you'll lead a varied portfolio of activity, from shaping recruitment and supporting earlyâcareer talent, to coaching managers, advising on employee relations matters, and driving improvements across HR processes and systems. Supported by an HR Officer, the role offers genuine ownership and strong visibility across the business.
Person Specification
You'll bring strong generalist HR experience from a professional services environment and a solid working knowledge of UK employment law. CIPD qualified (or working towards), you'll feel comfortable managing a blend of recruitment, ER, performance, and HR operations while using data to inform decisionâmaking. To thrive, you'll be proactive, peopleâcentred, commercially minded, and confident in building relationships quickly. A curious, improvementâfocused mindset will also be key to success in this role.
Benefits
They offer a compelling package designed to support wellbeing, reward contribution, and recognise loyalty. You'll be based onsite for the first six months, after which you can work from home one day a week. With core hours of 10:00â16:00, you'll have the flexibility to shape the rest of your day, working a total of 36 hours across the week. Benefits include a competitive salary, 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service), birthday leave, life assurance, onsite parking, and enhanced pension contributions. Employees also enjoy a generous wellbeing allowance and regular social events. Combined with clear development opportunities and a genuinely welcoming culture, the firm offers a warm, 'cosy family feel' environment where people feel valued, supported, and excited about their future.
Please contact Louisa London, Business Director - Senior HR, Essex & East Anglia for more information.
People (HR) Manager in Colchester employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land People (HR) Manager in Colchester
â¨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 thatâs perfect for you.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since this role is all about people, showing that you understand and align with their ethos will set you apart from the crowd.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common HR interview questions. Think about how your experience aligns with the job description and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and achievements.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace People (HR) Manager in Colchester
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the People Manager role. Highlight your HR generalist experience and any specific achievements in recruitment or employee relations that showcase your fit for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why youâre passionate about HR and how your proactive, people-centred approach can contribute to our supportive culture. Donât forget to mention your curiosity and improvement-focused mindset!
Showcase Your Knowledge of UK Employment Law: Since a solid understanding of UK employment law is key for this role, make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences. This will demonstrate your capability to handle employee relations matters effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. Itâs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you donât miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your generalist HR knowledge, especially around UK employment law. Familiarise yourself with the company's values and how they align with your own experience in professional services.
â¨Showcase Your People Skills
This role is all about people, so be ready to discuss how you've built relationships in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've coached managers or supported early-career talent to demonstrate your people-centred approach.
â¨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decision-making, think of instances where you've used data to drive improvements in HR processes. Be prepared to share specific metrics or outcomes that highlight your analytical skills.
â¨Embrace Curiosity and Improvement
The company values a curious mindset, so come prepared with questions about their current HR processes and how you might improve them. This shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their success.