Human Resources Manager

Teesside Mind; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health charity in the Tees Valley is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the HR function, oversee strategic and operational HR initiatives, and promote employee wellbeing. The ideal candidate will be a Chartered Member of the CIPD with a strong background in HR best practices and employment law. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the culture and engagement of a dedicated team. The organization values creativity, inclusivity, and a strong alignment with its mission.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an HR Manager or similar HR leadership role.
• Experience in reviewing and implementing HR Information Systems.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices and employment law.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement People strategies aligned with the organization's mission.
• Manage HR operations including recruitment, performance management, and employee relations.
• Lead initiatives for inclusion, diversity, and equality within the workplace.

Skills

HR best practices

Employment law knowledge

Strategic leadership

People management

Creativity in strategy development

Education

Chartered Member of the CIPD

Tools

HR Information Systems

Job description

As the HR Manager, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the performance, engagement, and wellbeing of our staff team, which includes around 160 dedicated employees and a growing team of committed volunteers.

Our workforce works tirelessly to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they support. Recognising the importance of our people’s wellbeing, we are committed to providing the best support, training, and development opportunities. It’s essential that our team is equipped to care for their own wellbeing while they care for others. By expertly balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on support, you will enable our team to continue delivering high‑quality services while maintaining their own wellbeing.

You will join the Charity’s Senior Leadership Team with strategic responsibility for HR, IT, Facilities, and Health & Safety. You will oversee two direct reports across the HR and Administration functions, ensuring high‑quality service delivery and effective operational support across the organisation.

Main Duties

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement People strategies that align with Teesside Mind's mission and values.
• Ensure employee engagement, talent management, wellbeing and leadership development drive actions that improve the culture making Teesside Mind an even better place to work, such that great people that align with our values and mission; want to join us, want to do their best and want to stay.
• Provide insights and strategic direction on people-related matters as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide information for, report to and attend the Board of Trustees’ HR Sub‑Group in line with the group’s Terms of Reference.

Team Support

• Work together with the direct reports to provide day‑to‑day guidance and practical support to managers.
• Train managers on delivering effective performance feedback and implementing improvement strategies.
• Work closely with managers to ensure that their teams can balance delivering high‑quality services with maintaining personal wellbeing.

HR Initiatives

• Ensure the provision of a suitable Employee Assistance Programme, reviewing and evaluating its effectiveness.
• Conduct regular reviews of market salaries and benefits to ensure competitiveness.
• Oversee employment terms and conditions to ensure compliance with legal standards.

HR Operations

• Manage HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations and off‑boarding.
• Ensure that all HR policies and procedures are current and compliant with legal requirements.
• Provide expert HR advice to managers and employees.
• Support managers to ensure that all employee relations case work (including complex cases) are managed efficiently, ensuring alignment with best practices and legal standards.
• Manage people data throughout the employee lifecycle efficiently and in line with Data Protection legislations.

Inclusion, Diversity, and Equality

• Lead initiatives to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, collaborating with our Inclusion, Diversity & Equality Lead.
• Ensure diversity and equality are embedded in all HR practices and policies.
• Monitor and report on diversity metrics, adjusting strategies as necessary.

HR Team Composition

The HR Team is limited to the HR Manager and one direct report. Therefore, the balance of time is likely to be spent according to the following approximate split 30/50/20 (Strategic/Operational/Data & Admin).

Person Specification

• You must be a Chartered Member of the CIPD with evidence of ongoing CPD and proven experience in an HR Manager or similar HR leadership role (preferably in a standalone or small HR function).
• The people and culture priorities for 2026-2027 include a review of the existing HRIS. Therefore, experience of reviewing and implementing HR Information Systems is essential.
• As the 'go to' internal HR expert you must have strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of HR best practices and employment law, including equal pay (collaborative partners).
• TUPE and reasonable adjustments within complex environments.
• The small team means that you need to be able to develop as well as implement effective HR strategies. Therefore, you need to be creative, thoughtful, organised, and a self‑sufficient completer finisher.
• Saving the best until last, as a senior leader who will be required to role‑model our expectations of others, you must have values that align with the values and mission of Teesside Mind.