Strategic HR Partner for Growth-Minded SMEs

Cape Consulting provides practical, commercial, and human-first HR support to growing SMEs, founder-led businesses, and charities across the UK. We are continuously building our talent bench with sharp, pragmatic HR Managers for client retainers, project-based work, and fractional roles.

About the Role

Delivering Client Support: Serve as a trusted HR partner for a portfolio of clients, delivering clear, practical advice without corporate jargon or rigid box-ticking.

Responsibilities

• Navigating Employee Relations: Confidently handle complex ER cases, disciplinaries, grievances, restructures, TUPE transfers, and workplace conflict.
• Building People Foundations: Design and implement compliant employment contracts, policies, performance frameworks, and onboarding processes tailored to each client's unique culture.
• Coaching Leaders: Guide founders, executives, and line managers through difficult conversations, manager capability development, and team dynamics.
• Driving People Strategy: Help clients align workforce planning, recruitment strategies, and culture with long-term growth ambitions.

Qualifications

• Relevant Experience: Solid HR management background, ideally with experience advising multiple SMEs, growing companies, or third-sector organisations.

Required Skills

• Commercial Mindset: Ability to balance UK employment law compliance with practical business realities—focusing on sensible outcomes over textbook processes.
• Strong Communication: Talent for building fast rapport with business leaders, explaining complex employment issues simply, and de-escalating workplace friction.
• CIPD Accreditation: Level 5 or 7 qualification preferred, or equivalent hands-on experience navigating UK employment law.
• Autonomy & Agility: Comfortable jumping into diverse business environments, diagnosing key people issues rapidly, and driving momentum.

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