HR Manager

Project People; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Reading is seeking an HR Manager to oversee HR service delivery and improve people processes. This hybrid role requires strong HR experience and project management skills. The ideal candidate will lead HR projects, ensure compliance, and manage third-party relationships effectively, delivering an excellent employee experience while supporting cultural change.

Qualifications

• Strong, broad HR experience across all disciplines.
• Proven track record of managing complex HR projects.
• Excellent influencing and coaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex HR and culture-related projects.
• Design and improve HR services, policies and tools.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers.

Skills

HR experience

Project management

Influencing skills

Coaching skills

Job description

We are seeking an HR Manager who has an extensive breadth across HR activities to lead core HR service delivery and drive continuous improvement across the people processes. This role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on operational management, ensuring an excellent employee experience while maintaining compliance and supporting the wider people agenda. You'll be instrumental in both day‑to‑day HR operations and the successful delivery of complex people projects that drive cultural and organisational change.

This is a hybrid role, with a minimum of 3‑4 days per week in Reading and is working for one of our high profile clients.

What you’ll do

• Lead complex HR and culture‑related projects.
• Design, deliver, and continuously improve core HR services, policies, processes and tools.
• Oversee payroll, pay, benefits, and recognition frameworks (delivered directly or via third‑party providers).
• Manage frameworks and processes for contracts, promotions, pay changes, secondments, leavers and working arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, regulatory requirements and reporting obligations.
• Own HR systems and data, ensuring accuracy, security and effective usage.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers (e.g., payroll, occupational health, training, recruitment).
• Oversee office and facilities management, ensuring a safe and high‑quality working environment.
• Handle HR queries, escalations and employee relations (ER) cases, coaching managers to resolve issues effectively and fairly.

What you’ll bring

• Strong, broad HR experience across all disciplines.
• A proven track record of managing complex HR projects.
• Excellent influencing and coaching skills, with the confidence to partner with managers, employees and leaders at all levels.
• Experience managing third‑party suppliers and working with multi‑level teams.

Project People is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy