HR Manager (Chester)

HR Manager – People, Culture & Workforce

Location: Chester, Cheshire  Salary: Up to £45,000 per year  Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role

Embrace Care is a growing provider of complex care services, regulated by both the CQC and Ofsted across our adult services and children’s residential homes. As we continue to expand, we’re looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead our People, Culture & Workforce team and play a central role in shaping the future of our organisation.

This is an operational HR management role with real substance. You’ll lead a team of five, manage the full range of HR service delivery across our regulated sites, and work closely with the Head of HR, Workforce and Culture to contribute to our people strategy.

For the right person, this role comes with a structured development plan and a defined succession pathway into the Head of HR, Workforce and Culture position.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage the HR Business Partner, HR Advisor and Recruitment Co-ordinator, including objective setting, performance management and development planning
• Build a high-performing HR team through coaching, capability development and a culture of continuous improvement
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and quality assurance across the team

HR Service Delivery

• Ensure delivery of a high-quality, compliant and responsive HR service across all Embrace Care sites
• Act as escalation point for complex, sensitive or high-risk HR matters
• Oversee employee relations case management, ensuring matters are handled fairly and in line with employment law
• Review and quality-assure HR documentation including investigation reports and disciplinary outcomes

Compliance & Regulatory Standards

• Ensure all HR practices comply with employment legislation, CQC and Ofsted regulatory standards
• Lead HR compliance audits and inspection readiness
• Embed safer recruitment principles across all HR activities

Policy & Strategy

• Lead the development and review of HR policies, ensuring alignment with employment law and organisational need
• Contribute to HR strategy, workforce planning and organisational initiatives alongside the Head of HR
• Support change initiatives including restructures, service developments and new home openings

Data, Reporting & Systems

• Oversee HR data integrity and GDPR compliance
• Produce regular HR reports on key metrics including absence, turnover and casework
• Analyse data to identify trends, risks and opportunities

Who We’re Looking For

Experience

• Proven experience in an HR management or senior HR generalist role with line management responsibility
• Strong track record of managing complex employee relations cases
• Experience within health, social care or a regulated sector is highly desirable

Qualifications & Knowledge

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards)
• Expert knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Understanding of CQC and Ofsted regulatory frameworks (desirable)
• Enhanced DBS clearance required
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate a team
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior management level
• Sound judgement in complex or sensitive situations
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism
• Solutions-focused and resilient under pressure

Safeguarding

Embrace Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment processes.

Why Embrace Care?

We are a values-driven organisation built on compassionate care, honest communication and lifelong careers. We invest in our people, support their development and believe that great HR is at the heart of everything we do. This is a rare opportunity to join a growing organisation at a pivotal moment — with a genuine pathway to head up our HR function.

Embrace Care values diversity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we support.