HR Manager

This is a true hybrid HR role, combining business partnering with operational delivery. You will act as a key advisor to senior leaders across the UK Sustainability Division, bringing both credibility and constructive challenge to support business decision‑making.

Leading a small HR team, you will be responsible for delivering a high‑quality, pragmatic HR service while driving continuous improvement across people practices. This role requires someone who thrives in a hands‑on environment, enjoys variety, and is comfortable switching between strategic input and day‑to‑day execution.

LOCATION:

Hybrid (Watford / Hemel Hempstead / Northampton area), with an expectation of c.3 days per week on‑site and regular travel to UK locations.

• Act as a trusted HR partner to leadership and senior management teams, providing commercially focused and pragmatic people advice aligned to business goals.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, influencing and challenging senior leaders to support effective decision‑making.
• Support organisational design, workforce planning, and people strategy.
• Provide hands‑on HR support across the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding through to exit.
• Lead on employee relations matters, including complex and high‑risk cases.
• Support organisational change initiatives, including restructures and business transformation activities.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and best practice in line with UK employment legislation.
• Own and process monthly payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and coordination with Finance and external providers.
• Lead and develop a small HR team, setting direction, managing priorities, and building capability.
• Maintain accurate HR and payroll data, ensuring integrity across systems and personnel records.
• Monitor HR metrics and provide insight to inform business decisions.
• Draft and manage employee documentation and formal HR processes.
• Partner with managers on recruitment, role design, and onboarding.
• Support employee development and build management capability.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR processes and ways of working.
• Act as a key escalation point for HR matters.

• Proven experience in a generalist HR role with responsibilities aligned to HR Manager level.
• Experience influencing senior leadership teams with confidence to challenge and guide decision‑making.
• Experience in a small or standalone HR environment with a hands‑on approach.
• Strong employee relations experience.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience managing or processing payroll.
• Experience leading or mentoring HR team members.
• Comfortable balancing strategic and operational work.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
• CIPD qualified, or equivalent professional experience or qualifications.