HR Manager

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute HR professional to establish and lead a high-performing, standalone in-house HR function. This role will act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Senior Management Team, balancing operational excellence with strategic partnership to support organisational growth, performance, and culture.

The successful candidate will drive people strategy, strengthen governance, modernise HR processes, and build a sustainable workforce structure aligned to organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Establish, develop, and lead a best-in-class standalone HR function.

• Partner closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team, providing expert guidance on all people-related matters.

• Contribute to organisational strategy by aligning workforce planning, structure, and capability with long-term business objectives.

• Support the development of a strong, sustainable middle-management structure through role clarity, capacity analysis, and succession planning.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Strengthen recruitment and retention strategies, particularly for specialised and hard-to-fill roles.

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from job design and workforce planning through to onboarding.

• Implement innovative sourcing strategies to compete effectively in a challenging talent market.

• Drive employer branding initiatives to enhance talent attraction and employee value proposition.

HR Governance & Compliance

• Own and modernise HR governance frameworks to ensure full compliance with Irish employment legislation.

• Review, update, and maintain HR policies and the Staff Handbook, ensuring approval, communication, and effective implementation.

• Maintain audit-ready HR records and robust documentation processes.

• Act as the primary HR contact for employee relations matters, partnering with line managers to manage issues fairly and consistently.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Provide expert guidance on employment law and best practice in employee relations.

• Support managers in delivering an effective and meaningful performance appraisal process.

• Oversee time and attendance, annual leave, and absence management systems.

• Promote proactive conflict resolution and foster a culture of accountability and fairness.

Engagement, Development & Culture

• Lead employee engagement initiatives including training and development, succession planning, and leadership capability building.

• Design and embed a wellbeing-focused culture across the organisation.

• Drive initiatives in communication, diversity and inclusion, and employee wellbeing.

• Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performance work environment.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

Essential

• Third-level qualification in Human Resources or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a broad-based HR generalist role, ideally within a standalone capacity.

• Strong knowledge of Irish employment law.

• Demonstrated experience in managing end-to-end recruitment processes.

• Experience developing and implementing HR policies and governance frameworks.

• Proficiency in MS Office and HRIS systems.

Desirable

• Professional HR accreditation (e.g., CIPD).

• Additional qualifications in Employment Law, Mediation, or Organisational Development.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery capability.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• High level of discretion and professionalism.

• Strong organisational and project management skills.

• Creative and resourceful approach to talent acquisition.

• Ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all organisational levels.