Manager, HR & Office Management

This is a pivotal role at the heart of ISEAL, bringing together strategic and operational HR leadership and effective office management to create an inclusive, well-supported workplace. The Manager, HR and Office Management will translate our new organisational strategy into forward-looking people practices, while ensuring that colleagues are supported by the policies, systems, resources and working environment they need to thrive.

Working closely with directors, the leadership team, line managers and two HR Coordinators, the postholder will shape the employee experience across the full journey—from recruitment and induction to development, progression and exit. The role will also oversee workplace services, internal communications, budgets and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions (UK, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada), helping a hybrid and remote workforce stay connected, informed and confident.

As an additional resource, an experienced HR consultant delivers recruitment campaigns and other special projects. We are looking for an experienced generalist HR professional, who combines strategic insight with practical delivery and sound judgement. You will bring current employment-law knowledge, strong influencing and coaching skills, a genuine commitment to inclusion and wellbeing, and the confidence to improve policies, systems and ways of working in an international, values-led organisation. Above all, you will be collaborative, resilient and motivated by ISEAL’s mission to accelerate positive change for people and the planet.

The key responsibilities we entrust you with:

• HR Management
• Develop and deliver a HR strategy aligned with the organisation’s new strategic direction, translating priorities into sustained impact.
• In collaboration with Leadership team, advise on and implement resource and overhead planning to support strategic objectives.
• Shape, continuously improve and communicate ISEAL’s HR policies, procedures and processes, enabling colleagues in a hybrid/remote setting to understand them easily and apply them confidently.
• Deliver a proactive approach to employment compliance, anticipating legislative developments across 7 jurisdictions with ISEAL staff and translating them into clear, timely organisational actions.
• Champion a thriving organisational culture, empowering colleagues at every level to bring ISEAL’s values to life in their decisions, behaviours and ways of working.
• Cultivate a workplace where wellbeing is embedded in everyday practice and open, constructive dialogue flows well between employees and line managers.
• Foster and continually enhance an inclusive employee experience across the full journey—from recruitment and induction to performance, progression, learning and development, and exit.
• Navigate emerging employee matters with care, sound judgement and consistency, equipping line managers to address both routine and complex HR situations confidently.
• Serve as a trusted strategic adviser to directors and the leadership team, bringing forward progressive HR practices that strengthen organisational effectiveness and employee engagement.
• Coordinate support of a dedicated external HR consultant for recruitment and special projects.
• Oversee maintenance of all personnel and HR records in appropriate systems.
• Office Management
• Lead on maintaining a comfortable and well functioning workplace, including continuous review of the overall infrastructure needs and provision.
• Shape and communicate forward-looking workplace policies and practices, pioneering flexible approaches to space, collaboration and ways of working.
• Create a safe, welcoming workplace by leading the effective delivery and continuous improvement of office services, facilities and resources.
• Act as first point of contact for any issues raised by staff relating to the office.
• Other
• Lead and continually strengthen internal communications that connect colleagues, reinforce shared purpose and encourage meaningful participation, including monthly staff meetings, the quarterly support staff newsletter and organisation-wide communications.
• Lead and empower two HR Coordinators, creating the conditions for them to grow, develop and deliver excellent support across the organisation.
• Steward the HR and premises budgets with foresight and accountability, directing resources towards the organisation’s people, workplace and strategic priorities.
• Build own capacity and knowledge on all matters related to organisational legal compliance.

Essential attributes / skills / knowledge

• Substantial generalist HR management experience, combining strategic understanding with confident delivery of day-to-day people operations.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with organisational priorities.
• Strong track record of designing, reviewing and embedding accessible HR policies, procedures and processes.
• Proven experience of managing diverse employee relations matters with sound judgement, fairness, discretion and appropriate confidentiality.
• Current, practical knowledge of UK employment law and the ability to translate legislative change into clear, compliant policies and advice.
• Excellent communication skills both in person and in a hybrid/remote environment with an ability to influence senior leaders and coach line managers at all levels.
• Experience working in values-led culture that supports employee wellbeing, engagement and open dialogue.
• Commitment to EDI principles and experience implementing approaches that foster an inclusive workspace.
• Varied experience of HRIS solutions and, ideally, with the implementation of new systems to enhance HR operations.
• Experience working in an international setting covering a variety of jurisdictions and employee locations.
• Proven people-management capability, including coaching, developing and empowering team members to work to the best of their ability.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and budget-management skills, with the ability to balance strategic projects and operational demands.
• High levels of integrity, initiative and resilience, with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to organisational change and continuous improvement.
• A personal commitment to and interest in creating a more sustainable world.

Desirable

• Oversight of international payrolls.
• CIPD Level 5 qualified.

ISEAL´s culture and how we will help you thrive

Our values are Connection, Empowerment, Inspiration, Wellbeing, Effective Working and Creativity. These are traits we value in each other and in the organisation overall and we instil these in all our processes and interactions. The issues we work on are of a global nature and our team reflects this, with individuals from many different backgrounds and nationalities. We know this diversity adds to the high quality of work we deliver as an organisation and through our commitment to diversity and inclusion we want to add strengths and perspectives in our team with each recruitment. Diversity for us includes race and gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other areas forming part of someone´s identity. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

As an organisation, we also support our people in their personal and professional development, with specific budgets and processes enabling individuals to take advantage of growth and development opportunities. We offer 25 days of annual leave, to which we will add a day a year after 2 years (to a maximum of 30 days), as well as an extra five days as a one off once you have been with us for a full five years.

We recognise individuals’ preferences when it comes to where and when to work through a hybrid working model as well as the opportunity to apply for flexible working arrangements to suit individual´s needs.

Other relevant information

• Term: This is a permanent contract.
• Working hours: 80 % (30 hours) – 100 % (full time, 37.5 hours per week), depending on preference.
• Salary: £52,000-58,000, depending on experience (pro rata for less than 100%).
• Location: London is the preferred location. The role requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the office. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they are entitled to work in the UK.
• International travel: The post holder will be required to undertake occasional international travel.
• Ideal start date: November/December 26 ideally.
• Reporting to: Director, Finance & Operations.

How to apply

Please use this link to apply: Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the [email protected]. Deadline for applications is 4 October 2026. Please note that we will only contact shortlisted applicants. Cover letter: We would like to see candidates´ own writing in the cover letter and discourage the use of AI for this purpose.

Interview process

Please note that we will endeavor to keep to this schedule, but some dates may be subject to change. Screening interviews (Teams): 7-12 October. Pre-interview timed exercises (between 60 – 90 minutes from home): 16-18 October (if applicable). Panel interviews (in person): w/c 19 October. Decision: w/c 26 October.

Accessibility

If candidates require additional time or other considerations for the interview process, we are committed to accommodating any reasonable requests. Please note that ISEAL will cover travel expenses for in person interviews for candidates travelling from outside of Greater London. ISEAL also covers caring expenses for candidates who are carers and need to arrange of cover for the duration of the interview/exercises.