People & Culture Manager in Cambridge

People & Culture Manager in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 60000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The HR Branch Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape the People & Culture strategy and support a positive workplace environment.
  • Company: Join GMT, a leader in renewable energy, committed to a greener future.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, and ongoing professional development.
  • Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence culture and drive organisational growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, growing organisation focused on sustainability.
  • Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or above with strong HR experience in dynamic environments.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 66000 £ per year.

Full-time | Permanent | Office-based with travel across all GMT sites. As GMT continues to grow, the business is looking for an experienced People & Culture Manager to help shape its next chapter. People are central to delivering the expertise, innovation and operational excellence that underpin everything GMT does. As the business continues to grow its portfolio of renewable energy infrastructure, this newly created role will play a key part in building the people foundations needed to support its ambitious plans. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be a senior HR leader and trusted advisor to GMT's senior management and site leadership teams. Working closely with GMT's external HR consultancy, you will provide practical, commercially focused HR expertise across operational and corporate functions. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, growing environment and wants to make a genuine impact.

About the Role

As People & Culture Manager, you will take ownership of the people agenda across GMT, helping to build a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture while ensuring GMT's people practices remain legally compliant, consistent and commercially focused. You will work across GMT's multi-site operational environment, supporting managers and teams with everything from employee relations and performance management to recruitment, workforce planning, learning and development. A key part of the role will be helping GMT evolve from a growing business into a more structured and scalable organisation – introducing robust HR processes, systems and policies while retaining the entrepreneurial spirit that has helped drive its success. You will also lead on complex employee relations matters, provide coaching and guidance to managers, monitor key people metrics and identify opportunities to improve engagement, capability and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement a scalable People & Culture strategy across GMT's sites and functions.
  • Act as a trusted HR advisor to senior management, site leaders and managers.
  • Lead on employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes, dismissals and absence management.
  • Ensure compliance with UK employment legislation, HR best practice and internal policies.
  • Oversee the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and employee development.
  • Support managers in developing their leadership capability and confidence in managing people.
  • Drive employee engagement, wellbeing and a positive workplace culture.
  • Develop and improve HR policies, systems and processes to support business growth.
  • Monitor and report on key people metrics, including engagement, retention, absence and performance.
  • Identify people-related risks and implement appropriate mitigation and continuous improvement actions.
  • Support workforce planning, succession planning and career development.
  • Work with external HR specialists and advisors, ensuring external support is effectively managed and aligned with business needs.
  • Use people data and insights to support informed, commercially focused decision-making.
  • Help develop a structured and scalable HR framework as GMT continues to grow.

About You

We are looking for an experienced HR professional who can operate confidently at both a strategic and hands-on level. You will ideally be CIPD Level 5 qualified or above, with proven experience in a senior standalone or generalist HR role within a fast-paced, growing organisation. You will have:

  • Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
  • Experience supporting operational, site-based, engineering, industrial, manufacturing, construction, energy or similar environments.
  • Experience working with multi-site or field-based teams.
  • Strong employee relations experience and confidence managing complex and sensitive people matters.
  • Experience across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to performance management and employee relations.
  • The ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice while managing legal and people risk.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement.
  • Experience using HR systems and analysing people data and metrics.
  • The ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively and build credibility at all levels of an organisation.

Experience of working with an external HR consultancy, supporting a high-growth business, organisational development or change management would be advantageous. Above all, you will be proactive, solutions-focused and approachable, with the resilience and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving business. You will be comfortable rolling up your sleeves and getting involved operationally, while also taking a strategic view of the organisation's future people needs.

Why Join GMT?

GMT is at an exciting stage of its growth journey, working at the forefront of the renewable energy sector. GMT's mission is to accelerate the transition towards a cleaner, greener future by developing, building and operating innovative biomethane plants and delivering efficient, carbon-negative renewable natural gas. Joining GMT means you will have the opportunity to make a real difference – not only to its people and business, but to the UK's energy transition and the future of sustainable infrastructure. GMT is looking for someone who shares its values: Build What Matters | Uphold Standards | Integrity Through Ownership | Lead Safely | Develop and Adapt.

What We Offer

  • Office-based role with travel across GMT sites and office locations.
  • Competitive salary with flexibility for the right candidate.
  • Private healthcare and medical insurance.
  • Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
  • The opportunity to play a key role in shaping the People & Culture agenda of a growing and ambitious organisation.

If you are an experienced HR professional looking for your next challenge and want the opportunity to make a genuine impact within a growing renewable energy business, GMT would love to hear from you.

People & Culture Manager in Cambridge employer: The HR Branch Ltd

At GMT, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values our people as the cornerstone of our success. With a strong commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture, we offer competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ongoing professional development opportunities. As a People & Culture Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our organisational growth while making a meaningful impact in the renewable energy sector, all within a dynamic and supportive environment that encourages innovation and personal development.

The HR Branch Ltd

Contact Details:

The HR Branch Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land People & Culture Manager in Cambridge

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 The HR Branch Ltd!

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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 The HR Branch Ltd.

We think you need these skills to ace People & Culture Manager in Cambridge

CIPD Level 5 or above
UK Employment Legislation
HR Best Practice
Employee Relations
Performance Management
Recruitment and Onboarding
Workforce Planning

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 The HR Branch Ltd. 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 The HR Branch Ltd 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 The HR Branch Ltd. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to The HR Branch Ltd'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 The HR Branch Ltd

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 The HR Branch Ltd.

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 The HR Branch Ltd 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 The HR Branch Ltd and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.