HR Manager

Location: Southampton Area

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Are you an experienced HR professional looking for a hands-on, multi-site role where you can make a real impact?

We are seeking a commercially minded HR Manager to lead the people function across a portfolio of hospitality and leisure venues. This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with senior management, driving recruitment, employee engagement, performance management, payroll, training, and HR compliance across multiple sites.

This role would suit an experienced HR Manager or Senior HR Generalist who enjoys partnering with operational teams, developing managers, and creating positive workplace cultures.

The Role

Reporting into senior operational leadership, you will take ownership of the day-to-day HR function across multiple properties, providing practical advice, guidance, and support to managers and employees.

You will play a key role in strengthening management capability, improving employee engagement, ensuring legal compliance, and delivering effective HR processes that support both business performance and employee wellbeing.

Regular travel between sites will be required.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage the full recruitment process from advertising through to onboarding.
• Work closely with managers to identify staffing requirements and workforce plans.
• Coordinate interviews, offers, contracts, references, and right-to-work checks.
• Ensure all new starters receive a structured and positive onboarding experience.

Employee Relations

• Provide expert advice and support on employee relations matters.
• Manage disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance, and capability processes.
• Support managers with difficult conversations and people management issues.
• Ensure all employee relations matters are handled fairly and in line with UK employment legislation.

Payroll & Workforce Planning

• Oversee the end-to-end payroll process.
• Ensure accurate payroll administration, approvals, and compliance.
• Monitor labour costs, overtime, agency usage, and staffing efficiency.
• Work with operational managers to improve productivity and workforce planning.

Performance, Training & Development

• Manage probation processes, appraisals, and performance reviews.
• Develop training plans and support leadership development.
• Coordinate learning and development initiatives across the business.
• Support succession planning and career progression opportunities.

Employee Engagement & Retention

• Implement initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.
• Analyse employee feedback and identify areas for improvement.
• Support wellbeing, recognition, and employee development programmes.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

HR Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and employee documentation remain compliant and up to date.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems.
• Produce regular HR reports and analysis.
• Monitor compliance with employment law, payroll legislation, and data protection requirements.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Significant experience as an HR Manager or Senior HR Generalist.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Previous payroll management experience.
• Recruitment, onboarding, and performance management experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness and ability to interpret workforce and payroll data.
• High levels of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 or above.
• Hospitality, leisure, retail, or multi-site experience.
• Experience working with shift-based workforces.
• Knowledge of Fourth or similar workforce management systems.
• Experience delivering organisational change and process improvements.

What's on Offer?

• Permanent, full-time role.
• Competitive salary
• Opportunity to influence and shape HR strategy across a growing portfolio.
• Varied and hands-on role with significant autonomy.
• Supportive leadership team and strong career development opportunities.
• Immediate start available for the right candidate.

If you are a proactive HR professional who enjoys improving people processes, supporting leaders, and driving positive business change, we would love to hear from you.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.