HR Manager - Arc Europe

Agriconnect is the UK's largest multi-platform agricultural information business, connecting the people, businesses and communities shaping the future of agriculture.

Our brands reach across the UK's major agricultural sectors, including arable, dairy, livestock, agricultural machinery, finance and equipment. From trusted media brands and content to industry-leading events and commercial products, we connect audiences and businesses in ways that create real value.

Agriconnect is part of Arc Network, a global B2B events, data and media platform backed by investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital. Arc operates more than 150 events each year across HR technology, agriculture and food, financial services and investing, and education technology, with more than 350 colleagues across the UK, US, Netherlands and Singapore.

Role Overview

The HR Manager owns the foundations of how HR operates at Arc, including policies, processes, governance and people data.

This is a hands-on generalist role in a lean team, combining the development of scalable ways of working with day-to-day HR delivery. You will lead on governance and process improvement, advise managers on people matters and support the wider HR agenda.

The role involves regular travel to our Preston office.

Key responsibilities

HR governance, policy and systems

• Own and maintain HR policies and processes, ensuring consistency across entities and compliance with UK employment law.
• Track legislative changes and update policies and practices accordingly.
• Maintain the HR SharePoint knowledge space and establish robust people data standards, including accurate data entry and cleansing.
• Support HRIS improvements and develop documented, consistent processes for payroll, taking on oversight of payroll accuracy over time.

Employee relations and manager support

• Advise and coach managers on performance, absence, conduct, flexible working and other day-to-day people matters.
• Support disciplinary, grievance, capability and redundancy processes, escalating complex cases to the Head of HR.
• Manage requests including DSARs and reasonable adjustments, and support settlement agreements with external legal advisers where needed.

Programmes, reward and engagement

• Support delivery of the Management Development Programme, including facilitation, and contribute to high-performance culture initiatives.
• Support benefits reviews, annual bonus and reward cycles, and recruitment in partnership with our TA consultant.
• Lead employee benefits communications and engagement, working with the HR & Benefit Coordinator to improve understanding and take-up.

Continuous improvement and team development

• Identify and implement practical improvements to HR processes and the employee experience, using feedback and recurring queries to inform changes.
• Use AI and automation appropriately to reduce manual work and improve efficiency, applying sound judgement around confidentiality, data protection and accuracy.
• Coach and develop the HR & Benefit Coordinator, involving them in employee relations cases and HR projects.

Person specification

Essential

• Generalist HR experience at HR Manager or senior HR Advisor level, ideally in a multi-entity business.
• Strong practical knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations.
• Experience owning and improving HR policies and processes.
• Confidence working with HR data and systems, with strong attention to detail.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to advise and coach managers.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills in a lean team.
• Ability to balance longer-term process improvement with responsive day-to-day delivery.
• Confidence using AI in HR, with sound judgement around confidentiality, data protection and accuracy.
• Experience of, or exposure to, UK payroll.
• CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Experience in media, events or another fast-moving commercial environment.
• Experience supporting an HRIS implementation or system change.
• TUPE experience.
• Experience designing or delivering manager development.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 27 after two years
• An extra day off on your birthday
• Matched pension contributions up to 6%
• Employee Life Assurance x4 basic annual salary
• Employee assistance programme
• Employee Discount site

All souls are welcome

As an equal opportunity employer we hire, develop and retain the best people regardless of their social background, age, sex, ethnicity, religion/belief or disability, and to make use of their talents.

We value everyone as an individual. We recognise that everyone is different and have created a work environment where we treat everyone fairly and in a consistent way and promote a culture of respect and dignity, to create a company that’s the right fit for every person inside of it.

We are excited by the incredible potential of AI and the innovative ways it can enhance the way we work. However, in our hiring process, we aim to get to know you. To stand out to our hiring managers, we encourage you to let your personality shine through, rather than relying on an AI-generated application.

 You are welcome to use AI as a writing assistant to help structure and articulate your thoughts. Please do not use it to generate fictional skills or experiences. Using AI responsibly can support your application, but your application must ultimately represent you.