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Interim HR Manager

Reed Specialist RecruitmentCambridge, Cambridgeshire🇬🇧United KingdomPosted 12 Oct 2026

Quick Overview

Seniority
Mid Senior
Employment type
Temporary/Casual
Work mode
On Site
Location
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Employee RelationsHRISStakeholder Management

Job Description

Interim HR Manager

Location: Cambridge, Hybrid, minimum 3 days on-site
Salary: 45,000 - 55,000 per annum (pro rata)
Contract: Interim, approximately 4 months
Start Date: ASAP

Are you an experienced HR professional looking for your next interim opportunity? We're seeking a confident and capable Interim HR Manager to provide leadership and hands-on support to a busy HR function during a period of transition.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and values-driven college in Cambridge, leading a small HR team and ensuring the delivery of an efficient, compliant and professional HR service.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the HR function, leading a team of four HR professionals and providing expert advice across the full employee lifecycle.

You will play a key role in maintaining operational excellence, supporting managers with complex employee relations matters and ensuring policies, procedures and systems remain effective and compliant.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the day-to-day HR function and HR team.
  • Provide expert guidance on UK employment law and HR best practice.
  • Manage a range of employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
  • Review, update and maintain HR policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Support organisational projects and change initiatives as required.
  • Contribute to HR systems development and implementation activities, with particular interest in HRIS improvements.
  • Produce management information and reports to support business decision-making.
  • Build strong relationships with managers and stakeholders across the organisation.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

  • CIPD Level 7 qualification or significant equivalent senior HR generalist experience.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
  • Proven experience managing complex employee relations casework.
  • Strong experience reviewing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
  • Previous involvement in HR systems implementation projects, ideally with IRIS Cascade.
  • Experience working within higher education, charity, public sector or similarly governance-led environments would be advantageous.
  • A calm, pragmatic and highly professional approach, with excellent levels of discretion and confidentiality.
  • Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

What's on Offer?

  • Competitive salary of 45,000 - 55,000 (pro rata).
  • Immediate start opportunity.
  • A varied and impactful interim assignment.
  • The opportunity to lead an established HR team within a respected organisation.
  • Central Cambridge location with free parking.

If you're an experienced HR Manager available at short notice and looking for a rewarding interim assignment where you can make an immediate difference, we'd love to hear from you.

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