HR Manager

Oakleaf; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An international organisation is seeking an HR Manager for a standalone role based in Southampton. This hands-on position entails managing UK HR operations, supporting recruitment, and advising on employee relations. The ideal candidate will have significant HR experience, knowledge of UK employment law, and familiarity with Workday. This role offers an opportunity to drive HR initiatives in a collaborative international environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a broad HR generalist role, ideally in a standalone capacity.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive HR support to managers and employees across the UK business.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment activity and onboarding processes.
• Advise and support on employee relations matters in line with UK employment law.

Skills

HR generalist experience

Understanding of UK employment law

Workday experience

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree or CIPD qualification in HR

Tools

Workday

Job description

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A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly organised HR Manager to join an international organisation in a standalone UK role, based in Southampton. While the position is autonomous day to day, it works in close collaboration with a global HR team and plays a pivotal role in delivering HR operations and supporting managers and employees across the business.

THE ROLE

This is a broad and hands-on HR generalist position with full responsibility for UK HR operations. The HR Manager will act as a trusted advisor to managers, support the full employee lifecycle, and help embed a people-first culture. The ideal candidate will be proactive, pragmatic, and capable of operating independently while engaging collaboratively with colleagues across international HR teams.

With Workday recently implemented and moving into Phase 2, prior experience with the system is highly desirable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide comprehensive HR support to managers and employees across the UK business

Collaborate with the international HR function to align local and global HR strategy

Lead end-to-end recruitment activity and onboarding processes

Advise and support on employee relations matters in line with UK employment law

Maintain and update HR systems, records, and documentation (Workday)

Support performance management, pay reviews, and annual HR cycles

Help shape and deliver management development and training initiatives

Drive continuous improvement of HR policies, processes, and documentation

Provide HR reporting and insights to senior leadership

Champion company values and support employee engagement

ABOUT YOU

Proven experience in a broad HR generalist role, ideally in a standalone capacity

Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices

Organised, efficient, and confident working independently

Experience using Workday or similar HRIS is essential

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Comfortable supporting and coaching managers

Experience in a defence, engineering, or highly regulated sector would be advantageous

REQUIREMENTS

Degree or CIPD qualification in Human Resources or related field

10+ years of HR experience, ideally within a global or matrixed organisation

If you’re looking for a varied and autonomous HR role with real scope to make an impact – and enjoy working in a collaborative international environment – Apply today!