HR Manager - Belfast - Special EU Programmes Body
MCS Group is delighted to be exclusively partnering with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) who are seeking an experienced and dynamic Human Resources Manager to join their leadership team. This is a key strategic and operational role, responsible for shaping and delivering our HR strategy to support the organisation's mission of "underpinning peace and prosperity for people and places."
About SEUPB:
The SEUPB is one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. They manage significant EU funding programmes, including the new PEACEPLUS Programme which is investing in projects that advance peace, reconciliation, and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
Role overview:
As HR Manager, you will provide expert HR leadership across the organisation. You will partner with senior leaders to forecast workforce needs, shape organisational culture, and ensure compliance with complex cross-jurisdictional employment legislation.
This is a highly impactful role with responsibility for developing HR strategy, overseeing all HR operations, and driving organisational performance through people. You will be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on leader, guiding a small but dedicated HR team while contributing to corporate planning and senior management discussions.
Key responsibilities:
- Developing and embedding HR policies, aligning workforce planning with EU programme cycles, and shaping organisational culture.
- Managing the full employee lifecycle, leading the HR team, and optimising HR systems and processes.
- Designing and delivering training programmes, developing talent pipelines, and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
- Building a positive, inclusive workplace, handling complex employee relations cases, and championing wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensuring GDPR compliance, preparing statutory reports, and supporting audits and governance reviews.
- Advise on structure and role design to ensure teams are equipped to deliver on PEACEPLUS objectives, supporting efficiency and collaboration.
- Implement SEUPB's Statutory Equality Scheme, embed diversity goals into HR practice, and ensure fair, transparent recruitment and promotion processes.
- Actively participate in SEUPB's Management Team, contributing to organisational strategy, governance, and performance improvement.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, trade unions, and external partners, acting as a trusted advisor and key representative on HR matters.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive regarding the duties associated with the role.
Personnel Specification:
To be considered for the role, candidates must be able to demonstrate, by the closing date for applications, experience in the following criteria.
Essential criteria:
- CIPD Qualified (minimum level 5)
- Strong understanding of Northern Ireland employment law including right-to-work checks, and compliance with equality legislation (e.g., Article 55 and Section 75 reporting).
AND
- An Honours degree or equivalent third level qualification AND a minimum of 3 years' experience at *management level in a generalist human resources role.
Or
- A minimum of 5 years' experience at *management level in a generalist human resources role
*Management level is defined as experience gained reporting directly to individuals at senior manager level or above or equivalent (e.g. reporting to Principal or above in the NICS or the Irish Civil Service) and managing the work of at least one other team member within a human resources function and being directly responsible for assessing their job performance.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in Ireland employment legislation
- CIPD Level 7
Benefits:
- Salary £47,304 - £49,515 per annum.
- A defined benefit occupational pension scheme (the North South Pension Scheme).
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years' service. In addition to this they also offer 12 statutory holiday days.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Investment in professional development.
Select 'Apply Now' to request a Candidate Pack for this HR Manager opportunity, or email r.mulligan@mcsgroup.jobs
Applications will close on 6th October 2025 at 4pm.
Please allow enough time to complete the cover letter, along with an up-to-date CV if you meet the essential criteria for this HR Manager opportunity.
To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Rebekah Mulligan, Senior HR Recruitment Consultant at MCS Group on 02896 205148
MCS Group - Proud CIPD NI HR Awards Headline Sponsor 2025
MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in NI to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, if you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate the request.
Desired Skills and Experience
MCS Group is delighted to be exclusively partnering with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) who are seeking an experienced and dynamic Human Resources Manager to join their leadership team. This is a key strategic and operational role, responsible for shaping and delivering our HR strategy to support the organisation's mission of "underpinning peace and prosperity for people and places."
About SEUPB:
The SEUPB is one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. They manage significant EU funding programmes, including the new PEACEPLUS Programme which is investing in projects that advance peace, reconciliation, and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
Role overview:
As HR Manager, you will provide expert HR leadership across the organisation. You will partner with senior leaders to forecast workforce needs, shape organisational culture, and ensure compliance with complex cross-jurisdictional employment legislation.
This is a highly impactful role with responsibility for developing HR strategy, overseeing all HR operations, and driving organisational performance through people. You will be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on leader, guiding a small but dedicated HR team while contributing to corporate planning and senior management discussions.
Key responsibilities:
Developing and embedding HR policies, aligning workforce planning with EU programme cycles, and shaping organisational culture.
Managing the full employee lifecycle, leading the HR team, and optimising HR systems and processes.
Designing and delivering training programmes, developing talent pipelines, and promoting a culture of continuous learning.
Building a positive, inclusive workplace, handling complex employee relations cases, and championing wellbeing initiatives.
Ensuring GDPR compliance, preparing statutory reports, and supporting audits and governance reviews.
Advise on structure and role design to ensure teams are equipped to deliver on PEACEPLUS objectives, supporting efficiency and collaboration.
Implement SEUPB's Statutory Equality Scheme, embed diversity goals into HR practice, and ensure fair, transparent recruitment and promotion processes.
Actively participate in SEUPB's Management Team, contributing to organisational strategy, governance, and performance improvement.
Build strong relationships with internal teams, trade unions, and external partners, acting as a trusted advisor and key representative on HR matters.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive regarding the duties associated with the role.
Personnel Specification:
To be considered for the role, candidates must be able to demonstrate, by the closing date for applications, experience in the following criteria.
Essential criteria:
CIPD Qualified (minimum level 5)
Strong understanding of Northern Ireland employment law including right-to-work checks, and compliance with equality legislation (e.g., Article 55 and Section 75 reporting).
AND
An Honours degree or equivalent third level qualification AND a minimum of 3 years' experience at *management level in a generalist human resources role.
Or
A minimum of 5 years' experience at *management level in a generalist human resources role
*Management level is defined as experience gained reporting directly to individuals at senior manager level or above or equivalent (e.g. reporting to Principal or above in the NICS or the Irish Civil Service) and managing the work of at least one other team member within a human resources function and being directly responsible for assessing their job performance.
Desirable Criteria:
Experience in Ireland employment legislation
CIPD Level 7
Benefits:
Salary £47,304 - £49,515 per annum.
A defined benefit occupational pension scheme (the North South Pension Scheme).
Annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days after 5 years' service. In addition to this they also offer 12 statutory holid
