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.

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