At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations, manage employee relations, and support managers across multiple sites.
- Company: Dynamic multi-site organisation in a phase of growth and change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £60,000 plus benefits and flexible working.
- Other info: Opportunity for career development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Shape HR practices and make a real impact in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Solid HR experience, CIPD qualified or equivalent, with strong employee relations skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 £ per year.
Base: Flexible - this is a UK role with regular travel to key sites.
Travel: You'll need to be comfortable visiting different locations during the week to maintain visibility and relationships.
Salary: Up to £60,000, dependent on experience, plus benefits.
Are you an experienced HR generalist who enjoys untangling complexity, building capability in managers and shaping how HR is done across a business, not just maintaining the status quo? We're supporting a growing, multi-site organisation with a largely operational workforce to appoint a UK HR Manager. The business is in a phase of change and maturation: there's a lot of good intent, plenty of opportunity, and a clear appetite to do things better and they need a confident HR professional to help make that happen.
Working closely with the HR Director, this role will play a key part in strengthening HR foundations, improving how people issues are handled day-to-day, and supporting managers to lead more effectively.
The Role
- Operational HR leadership - ensuring core HR processes (onboarding, employee lifecycle, policies, documentation) are well run, compliant and consistent.
- Employee Relations - managing a varied ER caseload (grievances, disciplinaries, absence, performance, conflict), and giving managers clear, confident advice on employment law and best practice.
- Performance & capability - embedding a performance management framework, supporting managers with objectives, reviews and performance conversations.
- Learning & development - helping to identify training needs, support leadership development and contribute to succession planning as the organisation grows.
- HR strategy & planning - working with the HR Director on the wider HR plan, workforce planning and organisational development activity.
- Policies, process & compliance - maintaining and improving HR policies, ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation, and keeping HR records and reporting in good order.
- Reward & benefits support - inputting into salary benchmarking, reward decisions and the consistent application of pay and benefits.
You'll be a visible HR presence across multiple sites, building relationships with operational leaders and becoming a trusted, go-to person for people issues.
About You
You'll be a good fit for this role if you:
- Have solid HR generalist experience at HR Manager level (or are ready to step into it), ideally in a multi-site, operationally focused environment.
- Bring strong employee relations experience and are comfortable handling complex, sometimes sensitive cases with confidence and judgement.
- Are CIPD qualified (Level 5 or 7) or equivalent by experience.
- Are used to supporting managers who may have varying levels of people management capability and you're patient but firm in helping them improve.
- Enjoy combining strategic input with hands-on delivery; you're as happy rolling up your sleeves on a case as you are contributing to HR plans and projects.
- Have a practical, commercial approach and understand the balance between risk, culture and operational delivery.
- Are organised, resilient, and able to maintain confidentiality and professionalism when dealing with challenging situations.
Human Resources Manager in Southampton employer: HR Heads
At HR Heads, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration in the heart of the United Kingdom. Our inclusive work culture fosters professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and mentorship, ensuring that every employee can thrive and make a meaningful impact. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing workforce governance and risk management, where your contributions will directly influence our organisational resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s game day! Research the company, understand their culture, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practice common HR scenarios and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented HR professionals like you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the HR Manager role. Highlight your HR generalist experience, especially in multi-site environments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like CIPD.
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 role. Talk about your experience with employee relations and how you’ve helped managers improve their people management skills.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've untangled complex HR issues in the past. We want to see your ability to handle sensitive cases with confidence and judgement, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR Heads
✨Know Your HR Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employee relations and compliance with UK employment legislation. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex cases in the past and how you can apply that experience to this role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery. Prepare examples of how you've contributed to HR strategy while also being involved in day-to-day operations. Highlight your ability to balance risk and culture effectively.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
Since you'll be a visible HR presence across multiple sites, think about how you've built relationships with operational leaders in previous roles. Be ready to share specific instances where your relationship-building skills made a difference in resolving people issues.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to performance management or employee grievances. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making approach, showing how you would support managers in these scenarios.
