• Location: Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
• Earnings: £50000.00 to £50000.00

Purpose of the Role

Take ownership of the operational management and delivery of HR services across Ellacotts, ensuring alignment with our vision, values and business strategy. You'll play a key role in shaping a positive employee experience, maintaining compliance with UK legislation, and acting as a trusted advisor to leaders, employees, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Planning & Operations

• Partner with the Head of People & Innovation and management team to shape and deliver the firm's people strategy
• Align HR initiatives with business goals to drive measurable outcomes
• Use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, recommending solutions where needed
• Oversee HR systems and employee records, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Support workforce planning and budgeting across salaries, training and HR activities
• Monitor trainee and apprentice progress, ensuring development, performance and study objectives are met
• Effectively manage a varied workload, balancing competing priorities while maintaining an excellent quality service

Employee Relations & HR Expertise

• Provide expert, pragmatic advice on UK employment law and HR best practice
• Lead and manage a full range of employee relations matters, including absence, performance, disciplinary and grievance processes
• Review and enhance policies, procedures and working practices to support the evolving needs of the business
• Ensure HR processes are consistently followed and continually improved

Talent Attraction

• Lead and develop the firm's recruitment approach, working with agencies and internal stakeholders
• Drive a proactive, multi-channel attraction strategy (direct sourcing, social media, events, referrals and more)
• Ensure an efficient and high-quality candidate experience

Talent Development

• Oversee onboarding and induction, ensuring a strong start for new joiners
• Identify and deliver learning and development initiatives that support individual and business growth

Engagement & Retention

• Lead the employee engagement survey process, analysing results and supporting action planning
• Support reward and recognition approaches that drive retention and performance
• Create opportunities for employee voice and meaningful consultation

Performance & Payroll

• Manage and evolve the firm's appraisal process and cycle
• Coach managers on effective performance management
• Oversee payroll inputs for the external provider, ensuring accuracy and compliance

External Insight & Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships with external providers (e.g. recruiters, training partners)
• Stay informed on legislative changes and market trends, driving appropriate organisational responses

Internal Culture & Communication

• Support internal communications and key people initiatives
• Contribute to CSR activity, including social and charitable events across the firm

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Support health and safety compliance, including risk assessments and first aid provision

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach and develop the HR team
• Delegate effectively and support continuous development within the team
• Contribute to wider firm initiatives and support partners as required

What you'll bring to the Role

Skills & Experience

• CIPD qualified (or degree or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 5 years' HR experience within a commercial environment, including at least 2 years at HR Manager level
• Strong, up to date knowledge of UK employment law
• Experience working in a commercial or professional services environment
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Confident using HR systems and data to inform decisions

Personal Qualities

• Credible, approachable and able to build trust quickly
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proactive, solutions-focused and commercially aware
• Resilient, driven and self-motivated
• Discreet and professional when handling sensitive matters

Additional Requirements

• Based within commuting distance of Kettering
• Willingness to travel to other offices as required
• Flexibility to work outside normal hours when needed