HR Manager; Maternity Cover

Hydro Group manufactures bespoke subsea cable and connector assembly engineering for the oil and gas, marine renewable energy and defence industries. We are certified to ISO 9001 and 14001:2015 to design and manufacture subsea electrical and optical connectors, electrical pressure hull penetrators, associated subsea electrical cable terminations, and installation of electrical and optical connectors. Our products are precision‑engineered to withstand the harshest environmental conditions.

This role is offered on a part‑time basis of 3 days per week, with flexibility available for the right candidate. The Human Resources Manager will provide strategic and operational HR leadership across the organisation on a maternity cover basis, ensuring the business has the people, processes, systems, and support required to achieve its objectives.

Working closely with managers and employees across all functions, the role is responsible for delivering a professional, responsive, and commercially focused HR service that supports organisational effectiveness, employee engagement, workforce development, and compliance with employment legislation and company policies.

This role requires a proactive and adaptable HR professional who can balance strategic priorities with day‑to‑day operational demands in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. Acting as a trusted adviser to managers and employees, the Human Resources Manager will build strong working relationships across the business, provide practical solutions to people‑related challenges, and contribute to a positive, high‑performing workplace culture.

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading and delivering all aspects of the employee lifecycle, ensuring the organisation attracts, develops, engages, and retains a skilled and capable workforce. The role combines strategic HR planning with hands‑on operational delivery, supporting both business performance and employee wellbeing.

• Recruitment and workforce planning
• Onboarding and induction
• Employee relations
• Performance management
• Learning and development
• Compensation and benefits administration
• Absence management
• Payroll support
• HR systems administration
• Employee engagement initiatives

The role also ensures compliance with UK employment legislation and company policies, provides guidance and support to managers on people matters, and contributes to organisational development and continuous improvement activities.

Success in the role will be measured by the effective delivery of HR services, strong employee and management support, compliant and efficient people processes, and the creation of a workplace environment that enables individuals and teams to perform at their best while supporting the organisation’s operational and strategic goals.

• Provide strategic and operational HR leadership that supports business objectives and workforce growth.
• Drive a positive, high‑performing culture through effective people practices, employee engagement, and leadership support.
• Ensure HR policies, processes, and initiatives are compliant, scalable, and aligned with organisational goals.
• Partner with leaders to attract, develop, retain, and support talent across the business.

• Strategic thinker with strong operational HR capability.
• Confident advisor who can influence, coach, and support leaders at all levels.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused, and comfortable managing change in a dynamic environment.
• Strong relationship builder with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercially minded with a people‑first approach.

• Build trusted partnerships with leaders and provide effective people solutions.
• Drive employee engagement, retention, and performance across the business.
• Ensure HR policies, processes, and compliance requirements are effectively managed.
• Deliver people initiatives and projects that support organisational growth and culture.
• Develop and maintain an efficient, scalable HR function that meets current and future business needs.