HR Manager

Our client is a founder-led luxury beauty brand with an international presence across retail, e-commerce and professional distribution channels. The business has built a strong reputation for combining premium product innovation with a science-led approach to beauty and wellness. With a growing global footprint and a team of approximately 70 employees, the organisation operates across both product development and commercial functions while maintaining a strong entrepreneurial culture. The business is entering a new phase of growth and is now establishing an internal HR function to support its expanding team and evolving organisational needs.

The HR Manager will establish and lead the internal HR function, acting as the primary HR partner to the leadership team and supporting employees across the organisation. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role combines strategic HR advisory with hands-on operational delivery. The successful candidate will be responsible for building core HR processes, supporting managers on people-related matters and ensuring the organisation has robust systems, policies and practices in place as it continues to grow. This is a broad and highly visible role suited to someone who enjoys building structure within an entrepreneurial business and working closely with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain core HR policies, processes and documentation, ensuring compliance with UK employment law.
• Implement structured processes across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, probation, performance management and offboarding.
• Support the implementation of HR systems and tools, maintain accurate employee records and oversee general HR administration.
• Advise managers on employee relations matters such as performance issues, disciplinaries and grievances, ensuring consistent application of policies.
• Act as a trusted advisor on people management and HR best practice, supporting managers with sensitive situations and development planning.
• Support the design and rollout of structured performance review processes, including goal setting and feedback.
• Partner with hiring managers and external recruiters to facilitate effective recruitment processes.
• Identify capability gaps and contribute to internal development initiatives.
• Support leadership in embedding company values and fostering a positive culture within a growing SME.
• Contribute to employee engagement programmes and assist with internal communications and organisational change.
• Support salary benchmarking, compensation frameworks and benefits reviews.
• Liaise with payroll providers for accurate processing and monitor headcount changes to support workforce planning.

Experience Requirements

• Proven HR experience within a growing organisation or SME environment
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Experience supporting employee relations cases and advising managers
• Comfortable building HR processes and infrastructure within a scaling business
• Experience partnering with leadership teams in commercially focused environments
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• A pragmatic and collaborative approach suited to founder-led organisations
• Experience within luxury, beauty, retail, consumer goods or wellness sectors would be advantageous

Location: London
Country: United Kingdom
Contract Type: Full Time
Salary: £up to competitive

Job Reference: CJHRM2026
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