Human Resources Manager

The Talent World; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite parking

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Electric car scheme

Season ticket loans

Free onsite parking

Job summary

The Talent World in Oxford is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead day-to-day HR operations, manage a small HR team and advise managers on people matters.

Based onsite with a blend of operational leadership and hands-on HR support, you will handle complex ER cases, recruitment, onboarding, contracts and HR projects such as a new HRIS/recruitment system.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR management or senior HR advisory roles.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations and the full lifecycle HR.
• Ability to lead and influence managers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day HR operations and a small HR team.
• Advise managers on people matters and ER issues.
• Handle sickness, absence management and performance concerns.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Ensure contracts are accurate and onboarding is efficient.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the HR team.
• Monitor workflows to ensure quality service delivery.
• Be a key contact for managers and department heads.
• Support HR policies and HRIS/recruitment system projects.

Skills

HR Manager experience

Employee relations

Generalist HR

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Tools

HRIS

ATS

Job description

Oxford | £50,000 - £55,000 + excellent benefits | Onsite (5 days) free parking

Hays are delighted to be partnering with a prestigious education institution in Oxford City Centre to hire an experienced HR Manager on a permanent basis.

About The Role

Working closely with the Head of HR, you'll lead day-to-day HR operations, manage a small HR team and act as a key advisor to managers on a wide range of people matters. This role offers a genuine blend of operational leadership, strategic influence and hands‑on HR support.

You'll be comfortable managing complex ER casework including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, performance concerns and sensitive workplace issues, while providing pragmatic, commercially balanced advice to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a broad range of Employee Relations casework, including complex and sensitive cases
• Lead on sickness and absence management, including long‑term cases
• Oversee the end‑to‑end recruitment process, working closely with hiring managers
• Ensure contracts and onboarding processes are delivered accurately and efficiently
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and guidance to the HR team
• Monitor HR workflows, inboxes and response times to ensure strong service delivery
• Act as a key point of contact for managers and department heads
• Support the development of HR policies and procedures
• Contribute to HR projects, including the implementation of a new HRIS/recruitment system

Working within a complex and highly regarded organisation, this role offers the opportunity to lead the delivery of high‑quality HR services whilst supporting a diverse community of professional, academic and operational colleagues. The successful candidate will combine strong operational HR expertise with the confidence and credibility to build meaningful relationships across all levels of the organisation.

About You

• Proven experience as a HR Manager OR A strong HR Generalist / Senior HR Advisor ready to step up into management
• Solid Employee Relations experience up to and including dissmisal
• Experience managing complex casework in a busy operational environment
• Strong generalist HR knowledge across the employee lifecycle
• Confidence working with stakeholders and influencing decision‑making
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment

Why Join?

• Opportunity to step into a broad, visible HR leadership role
• Work closely with an experienced Head of HR
• Exposure to meaningful HR transformation projects
• Varied and impactful role within a collaborative environment

Package & Benefits

• £50,000 - £55,000
• 30 days holiday + bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to work & electric car schemes
• Season ticket loans
• Free Onsite parking available - first come first serve basis

Additional Information

• Full‑time role (37.5 hours per week) flex start and finish times
• Based onsite in Oxford (5 days per week)