HR Manager

HR Manager Birmingham, West Midlands | Part-Time (3 Days Per Week)

The Big Idea:
Build a People Function That Supports Talent Density

At WAA Chosen, we believe brands get chosen when the people behind them are firing on all cylinders.

We’re employee‑owned. We’re commercially driven. And we’re serious about building talent density as we grow.

Now we’re looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead our people operations. Someone who can bring structure, judgement, and energy to the way we support, develop and challenge our teams.

This is a standalone role with real ownership. Recruitment is handled externally. Strategic direction sits with the Board. You’ll be the trusted internal expert making sure everything works, from compliance and employee relations to development and engagement.

And over time? There’s genuine scope to shape and evolve the function further.

You’ll ensure our HR governance is robust, compliant, and commercially aligned.

You’ll maintain and evolve policies, protect the business from risk, and translate strategic priorities into practical people initiatives that leaders can actually use.

You’ll be the primary link to our external HR advisors, building internal capability while knowing when to elevate.

You’ll handle disciplinary, grievance, performance, conduct and absence cases with calm authority.

You’ll advise managers on complex situations, ensuring fairness, consistency and strong documentation.

You’ll balance empathy with commercial judgement - protecting both our people and the business.

You’ll shape onboarding, performance frameworks and learning pathways.

You’ll coach managers through career conversations and difficult discussions.

You’ll embed consistent people leadership standards across the agency, helping us raise the bar year after year.

You’ll oversee absence management and rolling sickness processes.

You’ll provide accurate payroll inputs - holiday calculations, statutory/company sick pay adjustments - partnering closely with Finance.

You’ll ensure people processes are streamlined, documented and consistently applied.

You’ll monitor key people metrics and spot patterns others miss.

You’ll lead our EOT Employee Forum and strengthen employee voice.

You’ll design engagement initiatives that lead to action - not just surveys that sit in folders.

You’ll own a pragmatic Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging agenda, championing fairness, wellbeing and psychological safety.

And as the function matures, you’ll play a key role in expanding internal strategic ownership and reducing reliance on external advisors.

You’ve built your career as a strong HR generalist - ideally in an SME, agency, or fast‑paced service business.

You’re confident handling complex Employee Relations matters independently.

You understand UK employment law and apply it pragmatically.

You influence senior leaders without drama or ego.

You operate calmly under pressure and think commercially, not just procedurally.

You enjoy autonomy and take pride in building something properly.

CIPD Level 5+ (or equivalent experience) preferred.

HR governance that’s watertight.

Managers who feel confident and capable.

Employee matters handled professionally, with minimal risk.

People data that informs smart decisions at Board level.

Absence and payroll inputs that are accurate and seamless.

A people function that grows in influence as the agency grows in ambition.

Because here, you don’t just “do HR.” You shape how a growing, employee‑owned agency looks after its people.

You’ll have flexibility - three days per week, structured to suit you.

You’ll have trust and autonomy.

And you’ll have the chance to evolve a function in a business that genuinely values talent, performance and progression.

If you’re ready to bring clarity, credibility and commercial strength to a people function that’s ready for its next chapter, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now. Help us keep WAA Chosen, well… chosen.