At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR functions, shape people strategy, and support a positive workplace culture.
- Company: Join a family-owned care group dedicated to high-quality care for over 35 years.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, ongoing professional development, and direct access to senior leadership.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work closely with Directors and develop best practices.
- Why this job: Make a genuine difference in a growing organisation and influence future leaders.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent, with significant HR management experience.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Saint Cecilia's Care Group is looking for an experienced, passionate and values-driven HR Lead to lead our HR and People functions across our care group. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing family-owned care group in a newly created role that reflects our ambition and continued development. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will help shape our people strategy, influence business decisions, strengthen our culture and support our colleagues, helping us become an even better place to work.
As Saint Cecilia's Care Group continues to grow and evolve, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of our organisation. Working closely with the Directors, managers and our existing HR team, you will lead our people agenda and help develop and embed best practice across our people functions, ensuring we continue to attract, develop and retain exceptional people who share our commitment to outstanding care. You will also provide support to our sister company, Asters Specialist Care, as it continues its exciting growth journey.
About Us: Saint Cecilia's Care Group has been providing high-quality care services across North Yorkshire for over 35 years, caring for older people in residential, nursing and specialist care settings. Asters Specialist Care provides specialist support for individuals with complex needs and is entering an exciting period of growth. Together, our organisations employ a dedicated team committed to providing safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
The Role:
- The HR Lead will lead the HR and People function and be responsible for ensuring that our people practices support both operational excellence and a positive workplace culture. The role would be split approximately 80% with Saint Cecilia’s and 20% with Asters Specialist Care.
- Leading and developing the HR and People function.
- Providing expert HR advice and guidance to managers and Directors.
- Managing employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence and performance management processes.
- Supporting organisational change, restructures and workforce planning projects.
- Work alongside the Group Support Manager on recruitment and retention initiatives.
- Supporting succession planning and talent development.
- Developing leadership capability across the organisation.
- Reviewing and updating HR policies, procedures and employment documentation.
- Supporting compliance with employment legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Working alongside the Group Support Manager to support compliance with our overseas sponsor licence, helping to monitor sponsored worker requirements and maintain robust immigration compliance processes.
- Monitoring HR metrics and providing insights to the leadership team.
- Working with the leadership team to develop and maintain a positive organisational culture.
- Supporting and developing our existing HR and administration team.
About You: We are looking for someone who combines professional HR expertise with a practical, people-focused approach. You will be comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, building strong relationships with managers whilst maintaining high professional standards. You will have complete confidence in HR processes, employee relations and UK employment law.
Essential Requirements:
- CIPD Level 5 qualification as a minimum, or an equivalent relevant professional qualification.
- Significant HR management or senior HR advisory experience.
- Strong and current knowledge of UK employment law.
- Demonstrable confidence in managing HR processes and complex employee relations cases.
- Experience leading HR projects and organisational change initiatives.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build credibility with managers and senior leaders.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
- A commitment to confidentiality, integrity and professional standards.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between services.
Desirable:
- CIPD Level 7 qualification.
- Previous experience within health and social care.
- Experience supporting multi-site operations.
- Understanding of CQC-regulated services.
- Experience implementing HR systems and people development programmes.
What We Offer:
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference within a growing organisation.
- Direct access to and close working relationships with the Directors and senior leadership team.
- A varied and influential role with significant scope for development.
- A supportive family-business culture where ideas and contributions are valued.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Flexible working arrangements, with full-time and part-time applications considered. For the right person, we are open to agreeing working hours that suit both the individual and the needs of the organisations.
Ready to join us and help shape the future of our people? If you are passionate about people, culture and creating workplaces where colleagues can thrive, we would love to hear from you. This is an exciting opportunity to influence strategy, develop future leaders and help ensure Saint Cecilia's Care Group and Asters Specialist Care remain employers of choice within the care sector. Apply today and become part of an organisation where your expertise, ideas and leadership will make a genuine difference.
Email CV and covering letter to Closing date: Friday 4 September 2026
HR Lead in York employer: Saint Cecilia's Care Group
Saint Cecilia's Care Group is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead HR and People functions within a family-owned care group dedicated to high-quality, compassionate care. With a supportive culture that values employee contributions and fosters professional development, you will have direct access to senior leadership and the chance to make a meaningful impact on our growing organisation. Our flexible working arrangements and commitment to nurturing talent ensure that you can thrive while helping us attract and retain outstanding individuals who share our vision for excellence in care.
Contact Details:
Saint Cecilia's Care Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Lead in York
✨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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group!
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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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Lead in York
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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group. 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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group 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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Saint Cecilia's Care Group'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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group
✨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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group.
✨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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group 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 Saint Cecilia's Care Group and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
