At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and manage the entire employee life cycle in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Fast-paced company seeking a confident HR Manager to shape their people agenda.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and autonomous work culture.
- Why this job: Be the go-to HR expert and drive positive change within the organisation.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience in generalist HR roles.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Excellent Opportunity Permanent HR Manager – Standalone. We are looking 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
- Generalist HR & Business Support
- 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).
What you need to do now
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
As an HR Manager in a standalone role, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment that values your expertise and autonomy. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and growth, offering ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a positive workplace atmosphere. With a focus on employee well-being and compliance, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the organisation's people agenda.
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 culture and values. This will help you tailor your responses and show how you can contribute to their people agenda. Plus, it’ll make you stand out as a candidate who truly cares!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable discussing your experience managing employee relations and how you've supported organisational change. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team and make a difference in the HR landscape.
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:Demonstrate your understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices in your application. We’re looking for someone who can manage employee relations cases and ensure compliance, so don’t hold back on sharing relevant experiences!
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. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨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 initiative and problem-solving skills.
✨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.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions related to employee relations and compliance. Practice your responses to common situations like handling grievances or leading investigations, ensuring you can articulate your thought process clearly.
