HR Manager - Growing Technology Company in Essex

Overview

Office based in Saffron Walden. We are working exclusively with a high-growth AI technology company based in the Greater Cambridge area who are now looking to appoint their first dedicated HR Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR generalist to take full ownership of the people function and play a key role in shaping company culture as the business continues to scale.

Responsibilities

This hands‑on and highly varied position will see you manage the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding and probation through to performance reviews and offboarding. Acting as the primary point of contact for both managers and employees, you will advise on day‑to‑day HR matters while developing HR policies, processes, and the employee handbook to ensure ongoing compliance with UK employment law. You will also support employee relations cases and guide managers on best‑practice people management approaches.

Alongside this, you will collaborate closely with finance and external providers to manage payroll inputs and employee benefits, maintain accurate HR systems and personnel records, and coordinate learning and development initiatives to support skills growth and career progression across the business. You will play an active role in driving employee engagement, building an inclusive and supportive workplace culture, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organisation.

As a key partner to the leadership team, you will support workforce planning and organisational development as the company grows, while ensuring health and safety compliance and meeting all statutory obligations. As this is a standalone HR role, you will enjoy a balance of strategic input alongside practical, hands‑on delivery, with the autonomy to build the HR function from the ground up.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with proven HR generalist experience, ideally gained within a start‑up, scale‑up, or fast‑moving SME environment. You should have a strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices, be a confident and approachable communicator, and feel comfortable working independently in a role with significant responsibility. A proactive and adaptable mindset is essential, as is the ability to balance competing priorities in a growing business. CIPD Level 5 (or above) is desirable but not essential.

Location & Hours

This is an office‑based role in Saffron Walden, working five days per week, within a collaborative team of approximately 30 employees. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to build and shape a full HR function within an exciting and scaling AI and defence technology environment.

Apply

If you are an experienced HR professional looking to take ownership of a people function and make a genuine impact in a growing business, we would love to hear from you.