HR Manager - Children's Residential Social Care

HR Manager - Children's Residential Social Care HR Manager

Location: Dublin or Kilkenny (Hybrid, minimum 3 days onsite)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
Annual Leave: 25 days

About Odyssey Social Care

Odyssey Social Care is a leading residential care provider dedicated to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care to young people across Ireland. As part of the Broadlake Group, we are on an ambitious growth journey, focused on creating positive impact for young people, employees, and the communities we serve.

We are now seeking an experienced and passionate HR Manager to join our People & Culture team and play a key role in shaping the employee experience, supporting organisational growth, and building leadership capability across the business.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, the HR Manager will lead the People & Culture agenda for Odyssey Social Care. You will manage a team responsible for employee relations, HR operations, onboarding, and employee experience while acting as the senior escalation point for complex employee relations matters.

This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic and operational HR professional who enjoys creating people-focused solutions, driving engagement, and supporting leaders to achieve business objectives.

Key Responsibilities Employee Experience & Culture

• Support and develop employee engagement initiatives across the organisation.

• Lead employee wellbeing and employee value programmes.

• Conduct employee pulse surveys and drive meaningful action plans.

• Champion company culture and values throughout the business.

Talent & Workforce Planning

• Develop workforce and resource plans aligned to organisational growth.

• Assess team capability and identify development opportunities.

• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.

Learning & Development

• Own and continuously improve the onboarding and induction experience.

• Ensure compliance training is completed and monitored.

• Design and deliver organisational learning and development programmes.

• Support employee career and capability development.

Retention & Performance Management

• Monitor employee turnover and retention metrics.

• Develop and implement retention strategies.

• Lead performance management processes and goal-setting programmes.

• Support managers in driving high performance and employee growth.

Leadership & Employee Relations

• Lead, coach, and develop the People & Culture team.

• Act as the senior escalation point for complex employee relations matters.

• Manage grievance, disciplinary, performance management, and occupational health cases.

• Oversee Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) case strategy and liaise with legal advisors when required.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Oversee payroll accuracy and HR compliance processes.

• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and toolkits.

• Ensure compliance with Irish employment legislation and HR best practice.

• Drive continuous improvement of HR systems and processes.

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Human Resources or a related discipline.

• CIPD membership.

• Significant experience in a senior HR position.

• Previous experience managing and developing HR professionals.

• Strong employee relations experience, including complex case management and WRC matters.

• Extensive knowledge of Irish employment law and HR best practice.

• Experience using HR systems and Microsoft Office applications.

• Excellent communication, coaching, influencing, and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience within healthcare, residential care, or social care environments.

What We Offer

• Life Insurance (Death in Service)

• Health Insurance (upon successful completion of probation)

• Education Assistance Programme

• Paid Volunteering Opportunities

• Employee Assistance Programme (VHI) for you and your family

• Refer a Friend Scheme

• Team Building & Social Fund

• Continuous Professional Development

• Career Progression Opportunities

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Odyssey Social Care is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.

About the company

Odyssey Social Care is a children's residential care provider. We support young people by providing secure and safe homes and by building trusting and meaningful relationships with our teams. We work therapeutically with our young people to support them through past hurts and traumas. We go on the journey with our young people, empowering them to be the best version of themselves.