HR Manager

Brellis Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a hands-on HR Manager to take full ownership of the HR function within a growing SME near Rugby. This role offers autonomy and the chance to impact how the business manages its people. Responsibilities include managing the employee lifecycle, handling disciplinary matters, and ensuring compliance with UK employment law. The ideal candidate will be CIPD qualified, experienced in HR management, and comfortable working independently to drive HR improvements.

Benefits

Autonomous role with influence

Opportunity to shape HR practices

Attractive rural office location

Qualifications

• CIPD qualified, ideally to Level 5.
• Experience in standalone or generalist HR Manager role.
• Experience in construction or engineering is advantageous.
• Confident managing complex employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law.

Responsibilities

• Act as the sole HR professional for the business.
• Manage disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Deliver effective onboarding and offboarding.
• Improve HR processes and policies.
• Advise managers on people management best practices.

Skills

Employee lifecycle management

Disciplinary procedures

Performance management

CIS compliance

Employee relations

Influencing skills

UK employment law knowledge

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

A superb new opportunity has arisen for a hands‑on HR Manager to work within an established SME based near Rugby. You will take full ownership of the HR function, working closely with managers and the Senior Leadership Team to support the business both operationally and strategically. Based in attractive rural offices, this is a strong opportunity for an experienced HR professional to carve out a standalone role, influence how people are managed, and make a lasting impact on the business going forward. This position will suit someone who enjoys being visible within the business, is comfortable working autonomously, and takes a practical, commercially focused approach to HR.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the sole HR professional for the business, owning the full employee lifecycle
• Lead on all disciplinary and grievance matters, including investigations, hearings and outcomes
• Manage dismissals, performance management and absence issues in line with UK employment law
• Deliver effective onboarding and offboarding, ensuring a professional and consistent employee experience
• Review, consolidate and improve HR processes, policies and procedures, bringing clarity and consistency
• Advise and coach managers on best practice people management, employment law and risk
• Support the Senior Leadership Team, providing pragmatic and commercially sound HR advice
• Develop and support succession planning, identifying future talent and capability needs
• Maintain accurate HR records, contracts and documentation
• Ensure ongoing compliance with UK employment legislation

About You

• CIPD qualified, ideally to Level 5
• Proven experience in a standalone or generalist HR Manager role, ideally within an SME environment
• Background in construction or engineering would be highly advantageous, particularly where CIS workers or subcontractors form part of the workforce
• Practical experience dealing with CIS compliance, subcontractor onboarding and advising managers on correct engagement
• Confident managing complex employee relations issues end‑to‑end
• Comfortable operating autonomously with minimal supervision
• Able to influence and challenge managers constructively at all levels
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law with a pragmatic and commercial approach
• Organised, credible and resilient

The Offer

• A genuinely autonomous HR role with real influence
• The opportunity to shape and improve HR rather than simply maintain it
• Close working relationship with senior leaders in a growing SME
• Attractive rural office location (own transport likely required)