Location: UK
Role Type: Hybrid -2 days per week office-based (Welwyn Garden City, Herts)
Salary: Competitive + benefits
Start Date: August 2026
Contract Type: Part-time-25 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Travel: Not required

Reports to: CEO

PHARMExcel is a leading UK-based Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), supporting Phase I–IV clinical trials for academia, biopharma, and medical device organisations.

We’re proud of our reputation for quality, collaboration, and delivering real impact and as we continue to grow, we’re investing in our people to ensure we maintain a supportive, engaging, and high-performing culture.

About the role
This is a key standalone role at the heart of the business.

As our HR & Culture Manager, you’ll take full ownership of the HR function, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to support our people and shape the employee experience.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong HR fundamentals and employment law knowledge with a genuine passion for people, culture, and wellbeing.

You’ll be confident working independently, comfortable advising senior stakeholders, and able to balance hands-on HR delivery with shaping a positive and inclusive culture.

What you’ll be doing
HR Leadership & Operations

• Lead the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment through to onboarding, development, and offboarding
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and managers on all people-related matters
• Manage and continuously improve HR processes, policies, and systems
• Provide HR insights and reporting to support business decision-making

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Manage employee relations matters including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, and performance
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law, keeping policies and practices up to date
• Take a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to managing risk
• Work with external HR providers where appropriate

People, Culture & Wellbeing

• Champion a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture
• Lead employee engagement initiatives, including surveys and action planning
• Design and deliver wellbeing initiatives that support our team’s mental and physical health
• Support the development and embedding of company values
• Contribute to initiatives such as Investors in People (IIP)

Performance & Reward

• Manage and improve performance and appraisal processes
• Support salary reviews, benchmarking, and benefits
• Monitor key people metrics such as engagement, absence, and retention

About you
We are looking for someone who is professional, warm, and approachable with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Someone who can work under pressure, with the ability to prioritise tasks accordingly. A confident and flexible individual who is organised, diligent and passionate about supporting their colleagues and the wider goals of a growing CRO.

You will bring to the role:

• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience)
• Proven experience in a generalist HR role
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism
• A positive, approachable style and strong team ethos
• Proficient use of HR software and MS Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

Additional benefits package:

• Competitive pay & company bonus (performance based)
• Private medical insurance & paid professional memberships
• Generous annual leave + your birthday off
• Remote & flexible working
• Career growth and training & development
• Family-friendly policies
• 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wellbeing, ESG, and charity initiatives
• Supportive and collaborative work culture

Why PHARMExcel?

• Opportunity to own and shape the HR function in a growing business
• A supportive, collaborative team culture
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Real opportunity to make a visible impact

Our values
At PHARMExcel, how we work is just as important as what we deliver.

We value:
Integrity-we act with honesty, trust, and professionalism
Quality-we take pride in doing things well
Teamwork-we support and respect each other
Passion-we bring energy and commitment to what we do
Impact-we make a meaningful difference for our people and our clients

Equal opportunity statement
PHARMExcel is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. Our ethos is to respect and value people’s differences, and to help everyone achieve and be their best at work as well as in their personal lives so that they feel proud of the part they play in our success. We believe that all decisions about people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance and behaviour and our business requirements. PHARMExcel operates a zero-tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, abuse or harassment.

Ready to make a difference?
Apply today and be part of something exciting at PHARMExcel.

For further information please contact Jenny Barnett HR Consultant, jenny.barnett@pharmexcel-cro.com