HR Manager (Standalone)

Salary: £40,000-£45,000, depending on experienceHours: 37.5 hours per weekWorking pattern: Hybrid - three days per week in the Chester office

An established and growing organisation in Chester is seeking an experienced HR Manager to take sole responsibility for its people function.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished HR generalist with strong employee relations experience to combine strategic HR planning with hands-on operational delivery.

As the principal HR contact for approximately 80 employees, you will provide commercially focused advice to managers while managing HR operations, payroll administration, recruitment, compliance and employee engagement.

The organisation is entering an important stage of its development, giving you the opportunity to improve processes, strengthen management capability and shape a practical people plan.

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  Manage employee relations matters, including absence, disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, consultation and dismissal cases

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  Advise and coach managers on HR policies, procedures and UK employment law

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  Prepare clear and accurate employee relations documentation

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  Develop and deliver a practical people plan aligned with organisational priorities

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  Maintain HR policies, templates and the Employee Handbook

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  Coordinate recruitment, contracts, onboarding and induction

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  Manage pre-employment and right-to-work checks

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  Monitor probation reviews, performance appraisals and mandatory training

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  Maintain accurate employee records, HR data and compliance information

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  Prepare monthly information for the outsourced payroll provider

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  Support pension, benefits and payroll queries

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  Lead employee engagement, recognition and internal communication activities

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  Produce management information covering headcount, absence, turnover, recruitment and training

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  Support consultations, restructures and wider organisational change

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  Improve employee retention, attendance, workplace behaviours and management capability

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  Previous experience as an HR Manager or in a comparable senior generalist HR role

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  Experience managing a standalone HR function or the ability to work independently

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  Strong practical employee relations and case-management experience

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  Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice

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  Confidence managing disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, consultation and dismissal processes

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  Ability to balance strategic HR projects with operational duties

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  Experience creating HR processes and practical people plans

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  Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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  Strong organisation, accuracy and attention to detail

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  Confidence using HR systems, employee data and spreadsheets

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  Experience preparing payroll information

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  A CIPD qualification or equivalent professional experience, ideally

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  Salary of £40,000-£45,000, depending on experience

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  Five weeks' annual leave plus eight bank holidays

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  Hybrid working, with three days per week in the Chester office

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  Company pension scheme

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  Health and employee discount benefits

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  Relevant professional training

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  Access to specialist employment law support

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  The opportunity to shape and develop the people function

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If you are a confident HR Manager who enjoys autonomy, problem-solving and making a measurable difference, apply today with your CV and a short covering statement.