HR Manager - Fixed-Term Contract, up to 15 months

Join one of the UK’s most luxurious destination spas and play a key role in shaping the experience of over 550 employees across 25 departments. We are looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking HR Manager who can lead with confidence, uphold our values, and support the continued development of our exceptional team. As a key member of the management team, you will champion the Ragdale Values and ensure that we attract, engage, develop, and retain the very best people. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our people strategy and is offered as a fixed‑term contract for up to 15 months.

What the Role Involves

• Lead and oversee the full recruitment cycle, adopting a hands‑on approach when required, and enhancing the candidate experience through continuous improvement.
• Partner with managers to provide professional, timely, and practical employment law and HR advice across all people‑related matters.
• Lead a team of 4 HR professionals, providing clear direction, coaching, and day‑to‑day support.
• Advise and assist the team with employee relations cases, including performance, conduct, capability, and absence management.
• Oversee investigation, disciplinary, and grievance processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance.
• Develop and implement robust HR policies and procedures that promote employee wellbeing and drive high performance.
• Manage and review contracts of employment and training agreements.
• Oversee short‑term and long‑term absence management, ensuring consistent processes and timely interventions across all departments. Liaison with Occupational Health where required.
• Collate, analyse, and interpret employee turnover data, recommending and implementing initiatives that positively influence retention.
• Maximise the functionality of the HR & Payroll system to streamline workflows, resolve issues, and enhance reporting capability.
• Produce monthly HR reports and insights using the HR system.
• Support training, talent management, and the development of career pathways across the business.
• Manage the companywide holiday policy and ensure full compliance with procedures.
• Oversee the Ragdale Employee Experience, ensuring that each stage of the employee journey is engaging, positive, and continually improving.
• Support appraisal, performance review, and reward processes.
• Ensure all employee records are accurate, secure, and fully compliant with GDPR requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

• Have proven experience managing the employee lifecycle, ideally within a medium‑sized organisation.
• Have experience leading a small team, setting expectations, coaching, and supporting others to deliver high standards.
• Be organised, proactive, and solution‑focused, with a strong “can‑do” attitude.
• Bring excellent and up‑to‑date employment law knowledge, with the confidence to provide clear, practical advice on complex issues.
• Be experienced in developing HR policies and procedures, and confident in gathering, interpreting, and using people data to inform decisions.
• Have strong technical skills and significant experience working with an HR & Payroll system.
• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, particularly when dealing with data, documentation, and compliance.
• Possess strong project management skills, with the ability to lead cross‑department initiatives, manage deadlines, and ensure successful delivery.
• Be approachable, diplomatic, curious, and demonstrate strong professional integrity.
• Hold CIPD Level 5 or above.
• Be available to work on site in our HR office.

Hours & Contract Type

This is a full‑time position, 39 hours per week, worked over 5 days (predominantly Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm), with very occasional weekend work when required. This role is a fixed term contract for up to 15 months.

Salary

Competitive and dependent on experience.

Benefits

• Up to £1,400 per year in tips (full‑time equivalent)
• Free meals on duty
• Access to our Employee Wellbeing Programme
• Free on‑site parking and discounted electric vehicle charging
• Free transport from Melton Mowbray and Asfordby
• Use of our gym, exercise classes and areas of the Spa
• Discounts across all Ragdale retail outlets
• Discounts on treatments, dining, and food & beverage
• Friends and family discounts (T&Cs apply)
• …and more, available on our website