Senior People Manager

Reading, Oxfordshire
Deverell Smith Ltd
Senior People Manager (12-Month FTC – Maternity Cover)

About the Company

We are a leading provider of high-quality, single-family rental homes across the UK, specialising in delivering thoughtfully designed homes in desirable neighbourhoods alongside an exceptional resident experience.

Backed by globally recognised real estate investment partners, we are committed to enriching lives through renting. Our culture is collaborative, proactive, and people-focused – creating an environment where both residents and employees can thrive.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior People Manager to join the business on a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will provide both strategic oversight and hands-on delivery across all areas of the People & Culture function during an exciting period of growth. You will play a key role in ensuring continuity across HR operations, maintaining strong people processes, supporting managers, and fostering a positive and high-performing culture.

This position would suit a confident HR professional who can quickly build credibility across the business, manage complex employee matters, and deliver pragmatic, solutions-focused people support.

The role is primarily based in Reading, with occasional travel to London as required.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Employment Law

• Act as the lead advisor on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and performance issues.
• Provide expert guidance to managers and senior leaders on UK employment law, HR best practice, and company policy.
• Support and lead sensitive HR cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant outcomes.
• Mitigate risk by delivering commercially balanced and pragmatic HR advice.

HR Operations, Payroll & Benefits

• Oversee employee benefits administration, ensuring accuracy and effective communication.
• Manage payroll processes in partnership with internal stakeholders and external providers.
• Ensure employee data and records are maintained accurately and confidentially in line with GDPR requirements.
• Continuously review and improve HR processes and operational efficiencies.

Performance Management & Talent Development

• Manage performance review cycles and ensure regular 1-1s are effectively tracked through HiBob.
• Coach and support managers to drive employee performance, engagement, and development.
• Lead and manage performance-related processes and cases where required.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Lead the full recruitment lifecycle, including workforce planning, interviewing, offer management, and onboarding.
• Ensure a seamless and engaging new starter experience.
• Continuously enhance onboarding and induction processes to support employee retention and engagement.

HR Administration & Reporting

• Oversee all HR administration activities including contracts, employee changes, and leaver processes.
• Produce and analyse HR metrics across recruitment, retention, absence, performance, and employee relations.
• Provide meaningful insights and recommendations to senior leadership.

Leadership, Culture & Office Management

• Line manage and support the development of the People Administrator and Culture Manager.
• Partner with the wider team to deliver engagement, wellbeing, and culture initiatives.
• Oversee office management to maintain a safe, effective, and well-run workplace environment.
• Act as a trusted advisor and positive influence across the business.

Skills & Experience

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven experience in a Senior HR Manager or similar leadership role within the UK.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience across employee relations, payroll oversight, benefits administration, and performance management.
• A successful track record managing end-to-end recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance business and people priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence influencing at senior level.
• The ability to work autonomously, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Experience using HR systems, ideally HiBob.
• High levels of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.

Reporting Line

This role reports directly to the CEO.