At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver hands-on HR support across veterinary practices and manage employee relations.
- Company: Join a growing group focused on professionalising people management in healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 5.6 weeks annual leave, and enhanced family-related leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: 1-4 years in HR, strong UK employment law knowledge, and confident communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with clear progression linked to professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and people-focused HR Manager to deliver hands-on, operational HR support across one or more veterinary practices within our growing group. Reporting to the HR Director, this role is the first point of contact for managers and employees, translating people strategy into practical, day-to-day HR delivery. You will work closely with clinical leaders to ensure consistent, compliant and effective people practices on the ground. Experience in veterinary, healthcare, dental or similar clinical environments is highly desirable. Experience working in rota-driven, operationally intensive settings is essential.
The Role
You will play a key role in professionalising people management at practice level by:
- Identifying people issues early and addressing them pragmatically
- Supporting managers with performance, conduct and absence matters
- Educating teams on HR policies, professional standards and workplace behaviour
- Building trust in HR as a fair, practical and supportive function
This role requires strong judgement, resilience, and confidence in handling difficult conversations.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational HR & Employee Relations
- Act as the primary HR contact for assigned practices
- Provide day-to-day HR advice to managers and employees
- Manage employee relations cases end-to-end (disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence)
- Coach managers through difficult conversations and formal processes
- Ensure consistent application of HR policies and UK employment law
- Recruitment, Onboarding & Retention
- Manage end-to-end recruitment at practice level
- Ensure compliant, timely and high-quality onboarding
- Support retention, engagement and workforce planning initiatives
- Rota & Workforce Support
- Support rota management from an HR compliance perspective
- Advise on working time, contractual hours and leave
- Highlight risks related to fatigue, absence or resourcing pressures
- Performance, Development & Compliance
- Support appraisal and performance management processes
- Identify training needs and feed into wider L&D plans
- Maintain accurate HR records, contracts and documentation
What We’re Looking For
- 1–4 years’ experience in an HR Manager, Senior HR Advisor or similar operational HR role
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law
- Experience managing employee relations cases end-to-end
- Experience in a rota-driven, operational environment
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills
- Experience in veterinary, healthcare, dental or clinical settings
- CIPD qualification (or working towards)
- Experience supporting multiple sites
40 hours per week, primarily Monday–Friday (09:00–18:00), with flexibility as required. 5.6 weeks’ annual leave (inclusive of public holidays). Enhanced family-related leave and discretionary sick pay. Competitive salary with clear progression linked to professional development.
Human Resources Manager in London employer: Virtue Vets
Contact Detail:
Virtue Vets Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the veterinary or healthcare sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those tricky interviews! Research common HR scenarios and practice your responses. Think about how you’d handle employee relations cases or performance management discussions, as these will likely come up.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! During interviews, highlight your experience in coaching managers and handling difficult conversations. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to build trust and support teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of HR Manager. Highlight your experience in operational HR, especially in veterinary or clinical settings, and showcase how you've tackled people issues in the past.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about HR and how your skills align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience with employee relations and compliance.
Showcase Your People Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong interpersonal skills and your ability to handle difficult conversations. We want to see how you build trust and support managers and employees alike.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virtue Vets
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and HR policies relevant to the veterinary and healthcare sectors. Being able to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've applied this knowledge will show that you're not just familiar with the theory, but can also put it into practice.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an HR Manager, you'll be the go-to person for managers and employees alike. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled difficult conversations or resolved conflicts in the past. This will demonstrate your strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust within a team.
✨Be Ready for Operational Questions
Since this role involves managing employee relations cases and supporting rota management, expect questions about your experience in operationally intensive settings. Think of specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, especially in a clinical environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Proactivity
The job description highlights the need for a proactive approach to identifying people issues. Be prepared to discuss how you've previously anticipated HR challenges and implemented solutions before they escalated. This will show that you can think ahead and act decisively.