HR Manager – Growing Technology Business

HR Manager

Derby | £50,000–£55,000

UK, Ireland and France remit

We’re recruiting an experienced HR Manager for a successful and growing technology business based in Derby.

This is a broad, hands-on role for someone who enjoys combining day-to-day HR delivery with longer-term people planning. You’ll take ownership of the HR function, helping the business introduce greater structure and consistency as it continues to grow, without losing the pace and culture that have contributed to its success.

Reporting to the CFO and working closely with the COO and wider leadership team, you’ll be the senior point of contact for people matters across the UK, Ireland and France. You’ll also manage the Office Manager and coordinate external employment advisers when specialist local expertise is required.

The role

You’ll lead the people agenda alongside the senior leadership team, covering workforce planning, organisational structure, skills requirements, employee costs and people-related risk.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing practical, commercially focused HR advice to managers and directors
• Constructively challenging people decisions where appropriate and identifying potential risks at an early stage
• Overseeing employee relations matters, including probation, performance, absence, conduct, grievances, disciplinaries, flexible working and exits
• Coaching managers to handle performance issues and difficult conversations confidently and consistently
• Establishing an effective approach to recruitment, selection, onboarding and probation
• Working alongside hiring managers and external recruitment partners to improve recruitment outcomes
• Developing clear and consistent performance-management processes
• Translating company values into practical behaviours across recruitment, onboarding and performance
• Identifying priority learning needs and coordinating practical management-development initiatives
• Supporting talent reviews and succession planning for critical roles
• Producing meaningful people information covering headcount, turnover, absence, employee relations activity and key risks
• Supporting leadership with salary benchmarking, pay reviews and employee benefits
• Maintaining an annual people calendar covering pay reviews, bonuses, benefits, absence reporting and other key activities
• Reviewing HR systems, suppliers and processes to improve efficiency, data quality and employee experience
• Maintaining appropriate HR policies and documentation across the UK, Ireland and France
• Coordinating local employment advisers to ensure overseas practices remain compliant
• Maintaining accurate employee records, right-to-work documentation and appropriate data protection standards
• Managing and developing the Office Manager

What we’re looking for

You’ll be an experienced HR Manager, People Manager or senior HR generalist who is comfortable taking ownership of a varied people remit.

You’ll ideally bring:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent practical experience
• Strong employee relations experience and sound knowledge of UK employment law
• Experience advising and influencing senior managers
• The confidence to constructively challenge decisions when necessary
• Experience building, improving or implementing HR policies and processes
• A practical and commercially aware approach to people management
• Experience coaching managers and improving management capability
• Good knowledge of recruitment, onboarding, performance management and the wider employee lifecycle
• The ability to use people data to identify trends, risks and areas for improvement
• Strong judgement, discretion and attention to detail
• The ability to balance strategic priorities with hands-on delivery
• The confidence to work independently and take responsibility for the HR function

Experience supporting employees in Ireland or France would be beneficial but isn’t essential. More important is the ability to recognise when specialist advice is required, coordinate local advisers and ensure their recommendations are implemented effectively.

What makes this role different?

You won’t be joining a large HR team or inheriting a completely finished people function. You’ll have the autonomy to shape how HR operates, strengthen management capability and build the practical foundations needed to support future growth.

This opportunity will particularly suit someone who enjoys a varied, standalone HR role and wants to make a visible contribution across the business.

Salary: £50,000–£55,000

Location: Derby

Travel: Occasional travel across the UK, Ireland and France