HR Manager - M&A Lead | Belfast, UK

Isio; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional services firm is seeking an HR Manager - M&A Lead to manage HR integrations during mergers and acquisitions. You will act as a strategic partner ensuring alignment with business objectives and cultural integration. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in HR with a strong background in UK employment law and M&A activities. The role is based in Belfast with hybrid working options provided.

Benefits

Significant development opportunities

Work-life balance

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR generalist or business partner roles, including M&A.
• Experience managing inbound and outbound TUPE transfers.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and TUPE regulations.

Responsibilities

• Manage HR due diligence for transactions, identifying people-related risks.
• Lead all HR aspects of Day 1 planning and execution.
• Define and implement people integration or separation plans.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Employment Law knowledge

HR due diligence

Education

Degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, or related field

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We're growing and want you to be a part of our journey.

HR Manager - M&A Lead

As HR Manager you will manage HR M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) activity in the business. You will act as a key strategic partner to the business, managing the people workstream across mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships. You will help drive the people strategy for Isio's transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives, cultural integration, and legal / regulatory compliance (including TUPE). This role is critical in mitigating HR risks, harmonising workforce strategies, and fostering employee engagement during transactions.

Operating in a matrixed professional services environment, you will collaborate closely with Risk & Legal, Finance, IT, and Corporate Development teams to ensure people, culture, and employee experience are fully considered and effectively managed throughout the deal lifecycle.

In additional to M&A activity, there will be an element of Employee Relations and HR Process work that will require your management in in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.

This role will ideally be based in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Belfast city centre offices with a hybrid workstyle.

Role and Responsibilities

Pre-Deal (Due Diligence and Structuring)

• Manage HR due diligence for transactions, identifying people-related risks and opportunities.
• Analyse employment terms, organisational structures, compensation, pensions, and legal risks.
• Deliver structured HR Due Diligence reports with risk assessments and recommendations.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to assess TUPE applicability and obligations.
• Provide HR input into deal terms, indemnities, and transition service agreements (TSAs).

Deal Execution and TUPE

• Lead all HR aspects of Day 1 planning and execution.
• Manage the full TUPE lifecycle, including consultations and post-transfer measures.
• Draft employee communications and engage with employee representatives as needed.

Post-Deal Integration / Separation

• Define and implement people integration or separation plans aligned with business goals.
• Work with key stakeholders and HR colleagues to manage organisation design and harmonisation of employment terms and policies.
• Partner with Reward and Payroll teams to ensure systems readiness and data accuracy.

Change Management

• Support onboarding and cultural integration of acquired teams.
• Identify retention risks and early engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Communications to deliver effective change messaging.

Strategic and Operational Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on people-related M&A risks and readiness.
• Build HR playbooks and frameworks for repeatable M&A execution.
• Monitor and report on HR milestones, risks, and post-deal performance metrics.

Employee Relations and BAU Support

• Manage employee relations (ER) cases in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.
• Support HR processes and general business-as-usual (BAU) activity during quieter periods between deals.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures across the business.

Key Skills & Experience

Education

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, or a related field.
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent (highly desirable).

Experience

• Proven experience in HR generalist or business partner roles, including:
• Employment Law, M&A, Restructuring, or HR Transformation.
• Leading HR workstreams in UK-based M&A activity.
• Managing inbound and outbound TUPE transfers.
• Experience in professional services, consultancy, private equity or partnership-based environments (preferred).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills are essential.

Technical and Analytical

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and TUPE regulations.
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills.
• Skilled in HR due diligence reporting and people risk assessment.
• High discretion and integrity when handling sensitive data.

Project and Stakeholder Management

• Highly organised with strong project management capabilities.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels.

What we offer you

Isio is a people business, and we're committed to helping our great colleagues gain a wide variety of experience, significant development opportunities and progression through the business . The variety of work that'll be available to you will enable you to do this.

You can find out more about Isio and the benefits we offer here Isio - Careers & Benefits .

About Isio

Isio was 'born' in 2020 from the sale of KPMG UK's Pension Practice to a private equity firm. An industry-leading challenger, we provide diverse expertise spanning Pensions, Investment, Benefits and Wealth to give clients an integrated experience.

Isio is built by challengers, innovators and forward-thinkers, grounded around a vision which strives to deliver greater financial confidence for everyone. We empower and develop those who join us - valuing curious minds and giving people the freedom to outperform. Known and respected for our agility, we harness specialist experience, bold thinking and the desire to push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients, from small to blue chip, public to private.

At Isio, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace, in which our colleagues feel they belong, regardless of background or difference. We uphold the values of respect, fairness, and inclusion in our actions and decisions. We believe that by adhering to these principles, we will create a stronger, more innovative, and supportive environment for all, as well as ensuring that the advice and support we provide to our clients is more creative, more insightful and leaves a lasting impact.

We have offices across the UK and many of our roles offer a hybrid, flexible approach to work to help create a work-life balance that works for you. Isio Group is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

If you think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for any reason at any stage of your recruitment process, please email [e-mail]

Department Corporate Locations Belfast , Edinburgh , Glasgow Remote status Hybrid Employment type Full-time

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