HR Manager

Company Description

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports & borders, defense, and urban security. Our expertise is spread across 5 R&D centers, 21 Global Offices and 7 Manufacturing Sites with 3000 Brilliant minds globally contributing for over 40 years at the frontline which enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect our society from any threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics. Every minute of every day, our technology and talented team members help to make the world a safer place - https://youtu.be/JmcKLJTrHLc

Job Description

This is a key HR leadership position within Smiths Detection at a critical time of strategic transformation. You will play a central role in preparing the local HR team for separation from it’s parent company, helping shape the HR operating model of a future stand alone FTSE 250 business.

You will be responsible for leading the HR function for the UK, overseeing HR delivery in Ireland and Israel, and supporting business leaders and global HR colleagues as we evolve our structure, capability, and ways of working.

This is a high-impact, hands on role, ideal for a senior HR professional who wants to take ownership of a broad regional remit, influence people strategy at local leadership  level, and help build a future ready HR organisation through effective change leadership.

For the first six months, you’ll take on responsibilities aligned to a Senior HR Generalist, covering maternity leave during a period of transition as the business prepares for separation

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a senior HR Manager, bridging the gap between HR Generalist and HR Business Partners, contributing to strategic discussions and influencing key people decisions.
• Lead the HR team across the UK, Ireland, and Israel, including Senior HR Generalists and HR Coordinators, providing coaching, direction, and capability development.
• Drive organisational change linked to the business’s separation from its parent company, designing new roles, defining processes, and building the future local HR team.
• Oversee employee relations strategy and delivery, applying deep knowledge of UK employment law, case management, and governance frameworks.
• Champion and embed HR processes such as succession planning, performance management, talent reviews, and the annual reward cycle.
• Provide hands-on leadership in the management of complex ER cases, restructures, and business transformation activities.
• Use HR data and insights to drive proactive people strategies, identify trends, and anticipate risks.
• Partner with central functions (Reward, Talent, Comms) to roll out initiatives in a locally relevant and engaging way.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with employment legislation across the region, balancing governance with the need for flexibility and business alignment.
• Support the implementation of cultural initiatives that build high performance, inclusion, and collaboration across diverse teams.
• Promote a coaching culture that empowers managers and supports people development.
• Play an active role in integration/separation planning, liaising with global HR and project teams to ensure local execution aligns with global timelines and priorities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role, ideally within a manufacturing or technology environment.
• A genuine passion for developing people, leading teams, and enabling others to succeed.
• Strong understanding of operating in a multinational, matrixed organisation, with the ability to lead across regions and collaborate globally.
• Deep expertise in UK employment law, particularly in employee relations, restructures, TUPE, and legal compliance.
• Experience in organisational change management, including designing new structures and embedding cultural or operational change.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance high-level planning and hands-on delivery.
• Confident, credible, and able to influence at Leadership/Executive level.
• Agile, proactive, and comfortable navigating ambiguous, fast-changing environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across functions and countries.
• CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualified (or international equivalent).

Additional Information

To find out more about life at Smiths Detection check out our LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiths-detection/ and follow our story

Join us for a great career and competitive compensation & benefits whilst keeping the world a safer place.

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (www.smithsdetection.com/careers)

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)