HR Manager

Opal Orthopaedics Ltd (UK) & Opal Medical Australia P/L; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare company in Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced HR Manager to take full ownership of the HR function. You will lead strategic HR services and ensure compliance with employment laws while fostering a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will possess hands-on HR experience and a CIPD qualification. Competitive benefits include health plans and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Company Pension Scheme

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Health cash plan

Critical illness cover

Discounted legal services

Season ticket loans

Discounted online shopping

Discounted gym memberships

Cycle to work

Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing employee relations and compliance with FCA regulations.
• Ability to lead recruitment processes and develop HR strategies.
• Confidence in handling sensitive issues professionally.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic delivery of HR services focusing on employee relations.
• Develop and implement HR initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment processes for a positive candidate experience.

Skills

Hands-on HR operational experience

Strong knowledge of UK employment law

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder management

Resilience and adaptability

Education

CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above)

Job description

Overview

We currently have a fantastic opportunity for a HR Manager based in our Manchester office. As a HR Manager, you will take full ownership of the HR function in this standalone, hands-on role. Acting as the primary point of contact for all HR-related matters, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our company culture and embedding best practices across the business. This is a newly created position that offers the opportunity to build and define the HR function. You will oversee the entire employee lifecycle, working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team; you will have the autonomy to shape and develop the HR function and support the growth and wellbeing of our people.

About Ascent

We are a highly successful legal and financial services company. Our clients include major UK banks and global blue-chip companies; we have extensive experience in debt recovery, collections, mediation, litigation, and related services.

We Live By Our Core Values

• Be pioneering
• Be approachable and caring
• Be tenacious
• Be efficient
• Show integrity

Role Overview

To lead the strategic and operational delivery of HR services with a focus on employee relations and recruitment. This role ensures the organisation attracts, retains, and supports a high-performing workforce while maintaining a positive and legally compliant employee relations environment that complies with FCA regulations and internal governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations:

• Act as a strategic partner to the business by embedding a proactive ER culture and enhancing managerial capability across the organisation.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to managers on complex employee relations issues including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, and absence management.
• Ensure all ER processes are compliant with employment law, FCA regulations, and internal policies.
• Support managers to lead investigations and support hearings, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes.
• Monitor ER trends and risks, producing reports and recommendations for senior management.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Design and deliver training and development initiatives to upskill managers in employee relations practices, employment law updates, and effective case management.

HR Generalist:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategies and initiatives aligned with business objectives that enhance organisational effectiveness.
• Ensure all HR practices align with FCA regulatory requirements, including SMCR (Senior Managers and Certification Regime) where applicable.
• Maintain accurate and secure employee records in line with GDPR and FCA expectations.
• Provide coaching to line managers.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition:

• Lead the end-to-end recruitment process, ensuring timely and effective hiring aligned with workforce planning and a positive candidate experience.
• Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, create job descriptions, and develop sourcing strategies.
• Ensure recruitment practices are inclusive, efficient, and compliant with FCA standards.
• Manage relationships with recruitment agencies and external partners.
• Active involvement in recruitment activity such as assessment centres and interviews as required.
• Support onboarding processes to ensure smooth integration of new hires.
• Monitor recruitment metrics (e.g., time-to-hire, cost-per-hire) and implement improvements.

Were Looking For Someone Who Brings

• Proven experience in a hands-on HR operational role
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Confidence in handling sensitive issues with professionalism
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above preferred)
• Excellent stakeholder management and attention to detail
• Resilient, adaptable, and commercially aware

Benefits

• A Competitive benefits package including:
• Company Pension Scheme
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (We have a buying holiday scheme that allows you to buy additional holidays during the annual holiday year)
• Health cash plan
• Critical illness cover
• Discounted legal services
• Season ticket loans
• Discounted online shopping
• Discounted gym memberships
• Cycle to work
• Private Medical Insurance

Why Join Ascent?

You’ll be part of a forward-thinking organisation where your expertise will make a real impact. We offer a collaborative environment, opportunities for growth, and a culture that values innovation, care, and integrity.