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.
0203 725 9835

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