HR Manager / Head of HR

First Achieve; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and manufacturing firm in Luton is seeking an experienced HR Manager to provide strategic HR leadership and engage with employees. The role includes managing a high-performing HR team and spearheading important people projects. The ideal candidate should possess a strong HR generalist background, proven strategic HR delivery experience, and skills in learning & development. Competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to work in a hybrid model are offered.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Excellent training and development opportunities

Generous annual leave

Contributory pension plan

Healthcare scheme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in delivering strategic HR initiatives.
• Confident working with senior leadership teams.
• Passionate about driving positive organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the company's HR strategy focused on attracting, retaining, and planning for the future.
• Manage a HR Business Partner and HR Administrator for service delivery.
• Oversee employee engagement actions from surveys and training rollouts.
• Develop succession planning frameworks and strengthen employer branding.
• Promote a people-first approach within HR processes.

Skills

Strong HR generalist background

Experience in strategic HR delivery

Skilled in Learning & Development

Employee engagement

Succession planning

Cultural development

Job description

About the Company

First Achieve Engineering is supporting a long-established engineering and manufacturing business in their search for a strategic and people-focused HR Manager. This is a key leadership role responsible for guiding the HR function, shaping strategic initiatives, and supporting a workforce of over 160 employees. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing HR team and take ownership of several high-impact people projects already underway.

About the Role

This role involves strategic HR leadership, team management, employee engagement, learning & development, succession planning, employer branding, and generalist HR leadership.

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Lead and deliver the company's HR Strategy built around three core pillars : Attract, Retain, and Forward Plan.
• Partner with senior leadership to drive a long-term, progressive approach to people development and organisational culture.

Team Management

• Line manage and support a HR Business Partner and HR Administrator, ensuring a high standard of service delivery across both operational and strategic HR activity.

Employee Engagement

• Take ownership of a recently launched Employee Engagement Survey, driving all follow-up actions including communication, focus groups, strategic planning and implementing improvements.

Learning & Development

• Roll out and monitor a newly approved training programme, including :
• Dignity & Respect workshops
• A multi-module Management Development Programme for all people leaders
• Evaluate future skills needs and design ongoing capability initiatives.

Succession Planning & Workforce Development

• Continue the development of a structured Succession Planning framework, addressing role-critical skills, future risk areas, and long-term workforce sustainability.
• Build on existing documentation and support leadership in developing readiness plans.

Employer Branding & Early Careers

• Expand and strengthen School Outreach activity, creating pathways for apprentices, trainees and local talent.
• Support wider employer branding initiatives to enhance visibility within the local community.

Generalist HR Leadership

• Oversee all core HR processes across the full employee lifecycle, including ER, organisational development, policy review, workforce planning, and talent support.
• Promote a proactive, people-first approach within the HR function.

Key Priorities for the First 6-12 Months

• Lead actions and outcomes from the Employee Engagement Survey.
• Drive the rollout of the Management Development Programme.
• Advance the business's Succession Planning agenda.
• Build on School Outreach and early careers partnerships.
• Maintain the strategic HR direction that is now established within the business.

Working Pattern

Hybrid working available with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site at the main site. Occasional travel to a secondary location (1-2 times per year).

Qualifications

Strong HR generalist background with proven experience in strategic HR delivery. Confident working closely with senior leadership teams. Skilled in L&D, engagement, succession planning, and cultural development. Passionate about driving positive organisational change and developing people capability.

Required Skills

Strong HR generalist background with proven experience in strategic HR delivery.

Preferred Skills

Confident working closely with senior leadership teams. Skilled in L&D, engagement, succession planning, and cultural development. Passionate about driving positive organisational change and developing people capability.

Pay range and compensation package

Competitive compensation and benefits packages. Excellent training and development opportunities. Generous annual leave with the option to purchase additional days. Contributory pension plan with associated life assurance. Recognition reward schemes. Healthcare scheme with cash back on medical services (dental, optical, etc.). Virtual GP service and Employee Assistance Programme. Cycle-to-work scheme. Wide range of employee discounts, including gyms, high street and online retailers.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity.