HR Manager | Growing SME | Hybrid

Location: Hybrid

Salary: Competitive, £60-70k

Benefits: Pension, private health insurance, bonus, professional development & 25–30 days’ holiday

We’re looking for an experienced HR Manager to join a growing SME and take ownership of the people function.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, likes variety, and wants the opportunity to build and shape HR processes as a business grows.

Working closely with the CFO and managers across the business, you’ll be the go-to person for all things people — from recruitment and onboarding through to employee relations, payroll, performance, development and offboarding.

The Role

You’ll have responsibility for the full employee lifecycle, combining day-to-day HR administration with proactive advice and support to managers and employees.

Your responsibilities will include

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process, from writing job adverts and screening candidates through to offers and appointments.

• Partner with hiring managers to understand recruitment needs and deliver effective resourcing plans.

• Manage relationships with recruitment agencies and job boards where required.

• Coordinate a smooth and engaging onboarding experience, including contracts, right-to-work checks, references, inductions and equipment.

HR Operations & Systems

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records and HR systems.

• Administer the HR platform, including access, workflows and reporting.

• Produce regular HR reports and management information for senior leadership.

• Support effective holiday and absence administration.

Payroll, Pensions & Benefits

• Prepare accurate monthly payroll information for the external payroll provider.

• Manage pension administration and ensure auto-enrolment and contribution requirements are met.

• Coordinate the administration of private health insurance and other employee benefits.

• Act as the main point of contact for payroll, pension and benefits queries.

Performance, Learning & Development

• Coordinate the annual appraisal and performance review process.

• Work with managers to identify training and development requirements.

• Source and coordinate appropriate training and development opportunities.

• Help develop career pathways and people development initiatives as the business grows.

Employee Relations & HR Advice

• Provide practical, professional HR advice and support to employees and managers.

• Support managers with performance, absence, disciplinary and grievance matters.

• Ensure HR policies and practices remain aligned with current UK employment legislation and best practice.

• Keep up to date with changes in employment law and advise the business accordingly.

Offboarding

• Manage the leaver process from resignation through to final pay, benefits, equipment return and system access.

• Conduct exit interviews and ensure departures are handled professionally and sensitively.

HR Projects & Business Partnering

• Work closely with the CFO and managers to develop and implement HR policies, processes and initiatives.

• Provide people data and insight to support workforce planning and wider business decisions.

• Help build a positive culture and support employee engagement as the business continues to grow.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is confident operating as a standalone/generalist HR professional, ideally with experience working within an SME or similarly fast-paced environment.

You’ll ideally have

• Proven experience in a broad HR generalist role.

• Experience managing recruitment, onboarding and offboarding.

• Practical experience with payroll