Skip to content

Recruitment article

HR Manager – Maternity

10 August 2026 / Latest Vacancies

HR Manager – Maternity

Howard James Recruitment is supporting our client with the appointment of an experienced HR Manager for a maternity cover consultancy role based in Blackburn.

Offering a salary of £50,000 to £55,000, this is an opportunity to take a lead role across strategic and operational HR, supporting managers and maintaining effective people processes throughout the employee lifecycle.

The Role

You will lead a small People team and provide trusted HR guidance across the organisation (500 people). The role combines day-to-day operational support with employee relations, policy development and wider people projects.

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversee people processes across the employee lifecycle.
  • Advise managers on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, redundancy and retirement cases.
  • Ensure HR policies, contracts and related documentation remain current and compliant with employment legislation.
  • Coach and influence managers to strengthen people management and leadership capability.
  • Oversee the performance review process and support the implementation of development and performance improvement plans.
  • Monitor payroll information and ensure policies and procedures are applied consistently.
  • Provide updates on HR activity, workforce trends and key people matters to support business decision-making.
  • Lead or contribute to HR projects that improve processes and support organisational change.
  • Support the ongoing development, engagement and retention of employees.

About You

  • Previous experience as an HR Manager, People Manager, Senior HR Adviser, HR Business Partner or in a similar senior HR position.
  • Experience of managing a small team.
  • Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
  • Confident communication, active listening, negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
  • A pragmatic and accountable approach, with the judgement to understand the wider business impact of decisions.
  • CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.

Apply

If you are an experienced HR professional looking for a maternity cover opportunity in Blackburn, apply today through Howard James Recruitment.

Want to talk it through?

Tell us what you are trying to solve and we will help you choose the right route.