Senior People Manager

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior People Manager to provide direct line management and day-to-day leadership to colleagues within delivery, while playing a critical role in shaping a high-performing, people-centred culture across the UBDS group.

This role sits at the heart of the organisation’s matrix leadership structure. The Senior People Manager is accountable for ensuring that each colleague receives consistent, high-quality leadership from a people, performance, and wellbeing perspective, working in close partnership with Engagement Leads and Capability Champions, who provide project, technical, and functional direction.

In addition, the Senior People Manager holds primary responsibility for onboarding colleagues based in Manchester and London, ensuring every new starter experiences a professional, welcoming, and well-structured introduction to the UBDS group and is fully set up for success from day one.

This role is an integral part of the People Team and currently reports directly to the Group Chief People Officer

Responsibilities:

Direct Line Management & Matrix Leadership

• Act as the direct line manager for Delivery Centre colleagues, with accountability for performance, wellbeing, engagement, and career development.
• Operate as a core part of the matrix leadership structure, working in close partnership with Engagement Leads (project delivery) and Capability Champions (technical / functional leadership).
• Provide clear accountability through regular 1:1s, objective setting, feedback, and development conversations.
• Ensure colleagues receive coherent, joined-up leadership across people, technical, functional, and project dimensions.
• Build trusted relationships that foster psychological safety, openness, and high standards of performance.

People Strategy & Colleague Development

• Lead and execute people-focused practices aligned to the UBDS vision and values within the Delivery Centre.
• Champion colleague development, including coaching, mentoring, and access to learning and growth opportunities.
• Support talent development and internal mobility discussions in partnership with the wider People team.
• Contribute insight from the Delivery Centre to inform workforce and capability discussions (without owning workforce planning or succession frameworks).

Onboarding & Early Colleague Experience (Manchester & London)

• Hold primary responsibility for onboarding colleagues based in Manchester and London.
• Deliver a consistent, in-person, professional onboarding experience that sets colleagues up for success from day one.
• Ensure clarity on role expectations, line management, ways of working, and the matrix model.
• Continuously review and improve onboarding practices in collaboration with the People Experience Co‑ordinator and Talent Acquisition.

Employee Engagement, Culture & Wellbeing

• Design and deliver initiatives that enhance engagement, retention, and overall colleague wellbeing within Delivery.
• Act as a visible champion of an inclusive, values-led culture.
• Serve as a trusted conduit between colleagues and leadership, ensuring employee voice is heard and responded to.
• Apply principles of organisational psychology to support motivation, job satisfaction, and psychological safety.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Lead performance management for direct reports, focusing on clarity, constructive feedback, and growth.
• Coach colleagues to identify strengths and development areas, embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proactively identify people-related challenges and implement practical solutions to improve morale, engagement, and productivity.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field advantageous.
• Professional qualifications in HR or People Management (e.g. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)) are advantageous.

Experience

• 5–7 years’ experience in a People Management or Human Resources leadership role, with a minimum of 3 years in a direct, front-line line management capacity.
• Experience working within a consulting or professional services environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing colleagues within a matrix organisational structure.
• Proven track record of developing and managing diverse teams and driving people initiatives that improve engagement, retention, and performance.
• Experience using a Human Capital Management system (BambooHR preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Significant experience in people leadership, people management, or senior HR / People roles within a professional services or delivery-led environment
• Strong coaching capability with a compassionate, firm, and values-led approach
• Sound working knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS principles (applied in practice, not policy design)
• High emotional intelligence, resilience, and credibility with senior stakeholders

Why people choose to grow their careers at UBDS Group

Professionals choose to grow their careers at UBDS Group for its reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that is deeply committed to both innovation and employee development. At UBDS Group, employees are given unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects across a diverse range of industries, exposing them to new challenges and learning opportunities that are pivotal for professional growth. The Group’s culture emphasises continuous improvement, offering ample training programs, mentorship, and the chance to gain certifications that enhance their skills and marketability.

UBDS Group fosters a collaborative environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, allowing employees to contribute ideas and solutions that have a tangible impact on the company and its clients. This combination of professional development, a culture of innovation, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions makes UBDS Group an attractive place for those looking to advance their careers and be at the forefront of technological and operational excellence.

Employee Benefits

• Training – All team members are offered a number of options in terms of personal development, whether it is technical led, business acumen or methodologies. We want you to grow with us and to help us achieve more
• Private medical cover for you and your spouse/partner, offered via Vitality
• Discretionary bonus based on a blend of personal and company performance
• Holiday – You will receive 25 Days holiday, plus 1 day for Birthday and 1 day for your work anniversary in addition to UK bank holidays
• Electric Vehicle leasing with salary sacrifice
• Contributed Pension Scheme
• Death in service cover

About UBDS Group

At UBDS Group our mission is to support entrepreneurs who are setting new standards with technology solutions across cloud services, cybersecurity, data and AI, ensuring that every investment advances our commitment to innovation, making a difference, and creating impactful solutions for organisations and society.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and do 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.