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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR M&A activities and manage people strategies during mergers and acquisitions.
- Company: Join Isio, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and employee development.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, career progression, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping company culture and employee experience during exciting transitions.
- Qualifications: Degree in HR or related field; experience in M&A and UK employment law preferred.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration across various teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
We’re growing and want you to be a part of our journey.
HR Manager – M&A Lead
As HR Manager you will manage HR M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) activity in the business. You will act as a key strategic partner to the business, managing the people workstream across mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships. You will help drive the people strategy for Isio’s transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives, cultural integration, and legal / regulatory compliance (including TUPE). This role is critical in mitigating HR risks, harmonising workforce strategies, and fostering employee engagement during transactions.
Operating in a matrixed professional services environment, you will collaborate closely with Risk & Legal, Finance, IT, and Corporate Development teams to ensure people, culture, and employee experience are fully considered and effectively managed throughout the deal lifecycle.
In addition to M&A activity, there will be an element of Employee Relations and HR Process work that will require your management in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.
This role will ideally be based in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Belfast city centre offices with a hybrid workstyle.
Role and Responsibilities
Pre-Deal (Due Diligence and Structuring)
- Manage HR due diligence for transactions, identifying people-related risks and opportunities.
- Analyse employment terms, organisational structures, compensation, pensions, and legal risks.
- Deliver structured HR Due Diligence reports with risk assessments and recommendations.
- Collaborate with legal counsel to assess TUPE applicability and obligations.
- Provide HR input into deal terms, indemnities, and transition service agreements (TSAs).
Deal Execution and TUPE
- Lead all HR aspects of Day 1 planning and execution.
- Manage the full TUPE lifecycle, including consultations and post-transfer measures.
- Draft employee communications and engage with employee representatives as needed.
Post-Deal Integration / Separation
- Define and implement people integration or separation plans aligned with business goals.
- Work with key stakeholders and HR colleagues to manage organisation design and harmonisation of employment terms and policies.
- Partner with Reward and Payroll teams to ensure systems readiness and data accuracy.
Change Management
- Support onboarding and cultural integration of acquired teams.
- Identify retention risks and early engagement opportunities.
- Collaborate with Communications to deliver effective change messaging.
Strategic and Operational Partnership
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on people-related M&A risks and readiness.
- Build HR playbooks and frameworks for repeatable M&A execution.
- Monitor and report on HR milestones, risks, and post-deal performance metrics.
Employee Relations and BAU Support
- Manage employee relations (ER) cases in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.
- Support HR processes and general business-as-usual (BAU) activity during quieter periods between deals.
- Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures across the business.
Key Skills & Experience
Education
- Degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, or a related field.
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent (highly desirable).
Experience
- Proven experience in HR generalist or business partner roles, including:
- Employment Law, M&A, Restructuring, or HR Transformation.
- Leading HR workstreams in UK-based M&A activity.
- Managing inbound and outbound TUPE transfers.
Technical and Analytical
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and TUPE regulations.
- Advanced data analysis and reporting skills.
- Skilled in HR due diligence reporting and people risk assessment.
- High discretion and integrity when handling sensitive data.
Project and Stakeholder Management
- Highly organised with strong project management capabilities.
- Able to manage multiple concurrent projects.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels.
What we offer you
Isio is a people business, and we’re committed to helping our great colleagues gain a wide variety of experience, significant development opportunities and progression through the business. The variety of work that’ll be available to you will enable you to do this.
You can find out more about Isio and the benefits we offer here: Isio – Careers & Benefits
About Isio
Isio was ‘born’ in 2020 from the sale of KPMG UK’s Pension Practice to a private equity firm. An industry-leading challenger, we provide diverse expertise spanning Pensions, Investment, Benefits and Wealth to give clients an integrated experience.
Isio is built by challengers, innovators and forward-thinkers, grounded around a vision which strives to deliver greater financial confidence for everyone. We empower and develop those who join us – valuing curious minds and giving people the freedom to outperform. Known and respected for our agility, we harness specialist experience, bold thinking and the desire to push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients, from small to blue chip, public to private.
At Isio, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace, in which our colleagues feel they belong, regardless of background or difference. We uphold the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion in our actions and decisions. We believe that by adhering to these principles, we will create a stronger, more innovative, and supportive environment for all, as well as ensuring that the advice and support we provide to our clients is more creative, more insightful and leaves a lasting impact.
We have offices across the UK and many of our roles offer a hybrid, flexible approach to work to help create a work-life balance that works for you. Isio Group is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
If you think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for any reason at any stage of your recruitment process, please email hrrecruitment at ISIO dot com
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HR Manager - M&A Lead Corporate · Any Regional Office · employer: Isio
Contact Detail:
Isio Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Manager - M&A Lead Corporate · Any Regional Office ·
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those involved in M&A. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Isio's recent M&A activities. Show us you know your stuff and how you can contribute to our people strategy during these transitions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with managing HR risks and cultural integration in M&A. We want to see your passion for making a difference in our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our journey at Isio.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Manager - M&A Lead Corporate · Any Regional Office ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Manager - M&A Lead role. Highlight your experience in M&A, employee relations, and any relevant legal knowledge. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past experiences in managing HR during M&A activities. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis and reporting, make sure to mention any relevant tools or methodologies you’ve used. We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical prowess!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Isio!
How to prepare for a job interview at Isio
✨Know Your M&A Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, especially in relation to HR. Understand the TUPE regulations and how they apply to different scenarios. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires exceptional stakeholder engagement, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with senior stakeholders in the past. Think about specific situations where your influence made a difference, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills in real-world M&A situations. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face, such as managing employee relations during a merger, and outline how you would approach these issues strategically.
✨Cultural Integration Insights
Cultural integration is key in M&A, so come armed with ideas on how to foster employee engagement and smooth transitions. Share any past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated cultural differences and how you ensured alignment with business objectives during such processes.