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HR Manager - M&A Lead

As HR Manager you will manage HR M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) activity in the business. You will act as a key strategic partner to the business, managing the people workstream across mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships. You will help drive the people strategy for Isio's transactions, ensuring alignment with business objectives, cultural integration, and legal / regulatory compliance (including TUPE). This role is critical in mitigating HR risks, harmonising workforce strategies, and fostering employee engagement during transactions.

Operating in a matrixed professional services environment, you will collaborate closely with Risk & Legal, Finance, IT, and Corporate Development teams to ensure people, culture, and employee experience are fully considered and effectively managed throughout the deal lifecycle.

In additional to M&A activity, there will be an element of Employee Relations and HR Process work that will require your management in in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.

This role will ideally be based in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Belfast, but can be based in any of our city centre offices with a hybrid workstyle.

Role and Responsibilities

Pre-Deal (Due Diligence and Structuring)

• Manage HR due diligence for transactions, identifying people-related risks and opportunities.
• Analyse employment terms, organisational structures, compensation, pensions, and legal risks.
• Deliver structured HR Due Diligence reports with risk assessments and recommendations.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to assess TUPE applicability and obligations.
• Provide HR input into deal terms, indemnities, and transition service agreements (TSAs).

• Lead all HR aspects of Day 1 planning and execution.
• Manage the full TUPE lifecycle, including consultations and post-transfer measures.
• Draft employee communications and engage with employee representatives as needed.

• Define and implement people integration or separation plans aligned with business goals.
• Work with key stakeholders and HR colleagues to manage organisation design and harmonisation of employment terms and policies.
• Partner with Reward and Payroll teams to ensure systems readiness and data accuracy.

• Support onboarding and cultural integration of acquired teams.
• Identify retention risks and early engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Communications to deliver effective change messaging.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on people-related M&A risks and readiness.
• Build HR playbooks and frameworks for repeatable M&A execution.
• Monitor and report on HR milestones, risks, and post-deal performance metrics.

• Manage employee relations (ER) cases in collaboration with the HR Policy, Employment, and HR Services team.
• Support HR processes and general business-as-usual (BAU) activity during quieter periods between deals.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and procedures across the business.

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, Law, or a related field.
• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent (highly desirable).

• Proven experience in HR generalist or business partner roles, including:
• Employment Law, M&A, Restructuring, or HR Transformation.
• Leading HR workstreams in UK-based M&A activity.
• Managing inbound and outbound TUPE transfers.
• Experience in professional services, consultancy, private equity or partnership-based environments (preferred).
• Strong Microsoft Office skills are essential.

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and TUPE regulations.
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills.
• Skilled in HR due diligence reporting and people risk assessment.
• High discretion and integrity when handling sensitive data.

• Highly organised with strong project management capabilities.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels.

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