HR Manager (12 month FTC)

Responsibilities

The HR Manager will oversee employee relations, payroll, benefits, and recruitment while coaching managers on performance and development. They will also drive employee engagement, manage policy compliance, and improve onboarding processes.

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in employee relations and payroll, along with a strong understanding of UK employment law. A CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent is required, alongside the ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and professional confidence.

Skills

• Employee relations
• Payroll management
• Benefits administration
• UK employment law
• Coaching
• Performance management
• Onboarding
• Retention strategies
• Succession planning
• Recruitment
• Policy compliance
• Data analysis
• Stakeholder management
• Conflict resolution

Benefits

• 24 days of annual leave
• Annual leave increase up to 28 days
• Bank holidays
• Lunch and learn sessions
• 2 paid volunteer days
• Social events

About this role

HR Manager (12 month FTC)
Department: People
Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Hybrid
Compensation: £55,000 - £65,000 / year

Description
12 month contract maternity cover. Hybrid working, 3 days per week in London Bridge.

We’re looking for an experienced HR Manager to join our People team at Wanstor.

This is a broad, hands-on role for someone who enjoys being close to the business and working directly with managers and employees. You’ll have ownership across employee relations, payroll and benefits, recruitment, onboarding, development, engagement and retention, while helping us continue to improve how we support and develop our people.

It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants a role with variety, autonomy and real influence, rather than being responsible for just one area of HR.

What You’ll Do
You’ll work closely with managers across the business, providing practical advice, coaching and challenge and helping them lead their teams effectively.

Your responsibilities will include:
Managing employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and performance issues
Coaching and supporting managers through people challenges, including those difficult conversations we sometimes need to have
Managing payroll and overseeing benefits, pensions, bonuses, commission and deductions
Improving our onboarding and probation experience so new starters have the best possible start
Supporting employee development, career pathways and succession planning
Driving employee engagement and working with managers to identify and address retention risks
Managing flexible working requests and supporting employment law and HR policy compliance
Using people data and employee feedback to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
Supporting recruitment and helping us continue to develop our graduate recruitment programme

What You'll Need
We’re looking for someone who knows their HR stuff, but just as importantly, cares about how HR feels for the person on the receiving end of it.

You’ll need to be approachable and pragmatic, while having the confidence to challenge managers and hold your ground when needed.

You’ll ideally have:
CIPD Level 5 or equivalent
Strong, hands-on payroll experience, including pensions and benefits
Extensive employee relations experience
Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law
Confidence advising and coaching managers at different levels
The ability to handle difficult or sensitive situations with empathy, fairness and clarity
Strong ownership and attention to detail
The ability to work at pace and prioritise when there’s a lot going on
Experience with IRIS, Skilled Worker sponsorship/right-to-work processes or within an MSP/technology business would be useful, but isn't essential.

What You'll Love
🌴 Generous Time Off: Enjoy 24 days of annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year up to 28 days, plus Bank Holidays.

📚 Continuous Learning: Participate in regular lunch and learn sessions with both internal and external speakers.

🤝 Volunteer Opportunities: Contribute to your community with 2 paid volunteer days each year.

🎉 Team Spirit: Join a friendly team and engage in various social events organised throughout the year.

About Wanstor

IT Services and IT Consulting · 201-500 employees · headquartered in London · founded 2002