At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations and develop strategies for a growing supported living provider.
- Company: Isabella's Homes, a top UK supported living provider with a focus on mental health and disabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving lives and ensuring compliance across services.
- Why this job: Shape workforce strategy and support a mission-driven organisation making an impact in social care.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or above and experience in adult social care or regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join One of the UK's Fastest Growing Supported Living Providers. Isabella's Homes is an award-winning specialist supported living provider supporting adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, and other complex needs across the West Midlands and South East. Following significant growth, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious HR Manager to lead our people function and help drive the next stage of our development. This is not a traditional HR role. We need a confident leader who can manage complex employee relations, maintain regulatory compliance, support operational managers, and ensure the organisation remains inspection‑ready at all times.
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, you will play a key role in shaping our workforce strategy and supporting our vision of becoming one of the UK's leading supported living providers.
Main duties of the job
The Role
- You will be responsible for leading and developing the HR function across a workforce of over 130+ employees operating across multiple locations.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the HR department and supporting HR team members.
- Providing expert advice and guidance on employment law and HR best practice.
- Managing disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management, and performance management processes.
- Leading complex investigations and employee relations cases.
- Ensuring compliance with employment legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Overseeing safer recruitment processes including DBS checks, references, right‑to‑work checks, and onboarding.
- Managing sponsorship licence compliance and supporting international recruitment.
- Developing, reviewing, and implementing HR policies and procedures.
- Producing HR reports, workforce metrics, and management information.
- Supporting CQC inspections, quality assurance reviews, local authority audits, and commissioner visits.
- Working closely with managers to improve leadership capability and people management practices.
- Supporting service mobilisation, organisational growth, restructures, and TUPE processes where required.
- Leading workforce engagement, wellbeing, and retention initiatives.
- Ensuring training compliance and workforce development plans are maintained.
About us
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months, you will:
- Maintain inspection‑ready HR compliance across all services.
- Strengthen HR governance and workforce compliance.
- Improve recruitment, retention, and employee engagement.
- Develop managers to confidently manage people issues.
- Enhance HR systems, reporting, and workforce planning.
- Support the continued growth and expansion of Isabella's Homes.
Job responsibilities
This is a leadership role across our operational areas. The successful candidate will be expected to build strong relationships with managers, maintain high standards of compliance, and ensure the organisation remains inspection‑ready at all times. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience within adult social care, healthcare, supported living, domiciliary care, NHS, housing, or other highly regulated sectors. Candidates without experience managing complex employee relations cases, compliance, audits, and workforce governance within regulated environments may not be shortlisted.
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 5 or above.
- Experience within adult social care, supported living, domiciliary care, healthcare, housing, or NHS settings.
- Experience supporting CQC inspections or other regulatory audits.
- Experience managing sponsorship licences and overseas recruitment.
- Experience supporting a workforce of 100+ employees across multiple sites.
- Experience implementing HR systems and process improvements.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Manager HR & Operations in Dudley employer: Isabellas Homes
Isabella's Homes is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous opportunities for growth within the rapidly expanding field of supported living, ensuring that our team members are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel. Located in the vibrant West Midlands and South East, our commitment to employee wellbeing and engagement, coupled with our mission to provide high-quality care, makes us a rewarding place to work for those seeking meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager HR & Operations in Dudley
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Isabellas Homes!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Isabellas Homes.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager HR & Operations in Dudley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Isabellas Homes. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Isabellas Homes and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Isabellas Homes. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Isabellas Homes's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Isabellas Homes
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Isabellas Homes.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Isabellas Homes will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Isabellas Homes and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
