HR Manager – Build People Strategy in Sustainability

About the role

We are partnering with a fast‑growing sustainability organisation that is scaling rapidly. As HR Manager you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, designing and implementing a people strategy from the ground up to support the company’s mission and ambitious growth plans.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive HR strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Build HR policies, procedures and frameworks from scratch.
• Lead end‑to‑end recruitment and talent acquisition to attract top talent.
• Design and deliver onboarding and retention programmes.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and foster an inclusive, high‑performance culture.
• Provide guidance on organisational design, workforce planning and change management.
• Manage employee relations with a fair, commercially focused approach.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Oversee performance management, appraisals and development planning.
• Implement learning and development initiatives to build employee capability.

Required profile

• Proven experience in a senior HR role, preferably in a high‑growth SME or start‑up.
• Successful track record of building HR functions, frameworks and strategies from the ground up.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Commercially aware with ability to align people strategy to business goals.
• Confident stakeholder manager able to influence senior leadership.
• Passion for sustainability and purpose‑driven organisations.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) desirable but not essential.

Required skills