Interim HR Manager in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

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.