HR Manager

HR Manager - Ilford - £35,000 - £40,000 DOE Our client, a successful and established Housing Solutions firm are currently seeking an experienced and qualified HR Manager to join their team. This is a newly created role to shape HR practice across a growing group of companies. You will be the first dedicated HR professional in the group, working as a shared resource across all brands. Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, you will provide hands-on HR support, lead recruitment activity, manage HR systems and compliance and act as the go-to person for all employment-related matters across the business. Responsibilities: Corporate & Strategic • Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of the operating environments across property management and regulated supported accommodation. • Provide HR insight and data to support senior management decision-making and contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture. • Support the Group Managing Director on HR governance, policy compliance, and employment law obligations across the group. Recruitment & Safer Recruitment • Update, draft and post job descriptions on relevant recruitment platforms and liaise with recruitment agencies as required. • Screen applications, shortlist candidates, and coordinate interview scheduling with hiring managers. • Participate in interview panels where required • Manage all pre-employment checks in line with Safer Recruitment requirements, including DBS applications, references, right to work verification, and qualification checks. • Ensure all recruitment documentation is completed accurately and retained on personnel files in compliance with regulatory and data protection requirements. • Lead a structured onboarding process for all new starters, including system set-up (Breathe HR), equipment provision, and induction coordination. • Maintain an awareness of Ofsted requirements for safer recruitment in the context of the Supported Living (regulated) division. HR Operations & Employee Relations • Provide timely, accurate, and practical HR advice to managers and employees across the group on matters including performance management, conduct, absence, probation, and wellbeing. • Support disciplinary, grievance, and capability processes, including preparation of documentation, minute-taking, and adherence to ACAS Code of Practice. • Maintain and monitor probation review schedules, ensuring timely action and completion across all divisions and report on HR metrics including turnover, absence, and headcount across brands. Policy, Compliance & Employment Law • Work closely with the group's HR Consultant to monitor changes in employment legislation and ensure the employee handbook, policies and procedures are updated accordingly. • Maintain knowledge of current employment law, regulatory guidance (including Ofsted standards relevant to supported accommodation), and sector best practice. • Support the annual review cycle for HR policies, ensuring these are version-controlled, appropriately authorised, and communicated to staff. Training & Development • Maintain and develop a training matrix across all brands to record staff training completion and identify gaps. • Assist in sourcing and coordinating training providers and development opportunities appropriate to each division's regulatory and operational requirements. Skills and Experience Required: • CIPD Level 3 qualification in HR Practice (or equivalent recognised qualification) - essential • Minimum 2 years' generalist HR experience covering recruitment, employee relations, and HR administration • Sound knowledge of UK employment law, the Equality Act 2010, and the ACAS Code of Practice • Experience managing end-to-end safer recruitment processes including DBS and reference checks • Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, or performance management processes • Confident communicator - able to advise managers and staff at all levels with professionalism and clarity • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload across multiple teams • Proficient in Microsoft Office and experienced with an HRIS platform (e.g. Breathe HR or similar) • CIPD Level 5 or working towards it - desirable • Experience in housing, supported living, care, or another regulated social sector environment • Knowledge of Ofsted standards relevant to supported accommodation or Children's Social Care Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, office based If you are a proactive individual looking for a new role, please contact Anisha on the Business Support team at Dove & Hawk Property Recruitment. Dove & Hawk Property Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of permanent workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's and Privacy Policy which can be found at doveandhawk.co.uk