Sarah Brindley

A commercial, CIPD-qualified senior people professional with a Masters in Business Administration (dissertation in Mergers and Acquisition) and a proven track record of driving transformational change. Expert in translating business strategy into people initiatives within fast-paced, multi-site environments. Passionate about modern, people-first cultures that challenge the norm and empower leadership teams to achieve sustainable growth.

People & Culture Manager - One Manchester (OM) - Manchester

(2025-05)

OM is a social housing provider with circa 500 employees. Partnered closely with the Executive and Leadership teams to align people strategies with operational objectives, driving high performance across a multi-site infrastructure. Led the people business partnering team to ensure OM stays legally compliant, supports the culture and drives high performance in line with our values.

• Formulated and executed a refreshed people business partnering model, shifting the team from a transactional mindset to a proactive, consultative service.
• Significantly reduced monthly long-term sickness absence days by 27% (from 448 to 326 days) and reduced voluntary turnover from 12.35% to 9.47% through targeted wellness and engagement strategies
• Led an internal HR Operations Audit, driving continuous improvement to elevate controls from 'Partial' to 'Substantial' compliance standards.
• Managed and updated the Cascade HRIS platform, leveraging data analytics to deliver actionable insights on head-count planning and business performance.

HR Manager - One Manchester (OM) - Manchester

(2023-09 - 2025-04)

Led the HR Business Partnering and Shared Services functions, managing payroll operations and creating a high-trust, progressive team culture.

• Upskilled line managers on complex employee relations cases, providing practical, options-based solutions that empowered them to lead with a customer-centric focus.
• Served as the corporate Change Champion for the Greater Manchester Housing Providers' BOOST Programme, actively challenging the norm to create pathways for ethnically diverse talent to thrive.
• Negotiated and successfully concluded high-risk, without-prejudice terminations, safeguarding the business against complex ET1 claims.

Senior HR Business Partner - One Manchester (OM) - Manchester

(2022-06 - 2023-09)

Built trusted partnerships with cross-functional business leaders, empowering them to proactively seek early-intervention HR advice and guidance.

• Delivered critical pre-consultation analysis and commercial recommendations for the Customer Team collective consultation and corporate Attendance Approach.
• Transformed the organizational recruitment framework, replacing outdated box-ticking methods with a holistic, value-aligned selection strategy.
• Demonstrated leadership agility and resilience by successfully deputising for the Director of Culture and Communication during absences.

Senior HR & Employment Law Consultant - Citation - Wilmslow

(2022-02 - 2022-06)

Managed complex, high-risk employee relations casework—including medical capability, redundancies, and complex TUPE transfers—ensuring commercial, risk-managed outcomes. Upskilled and provided expert employment law guidance to a team of HR Consultants, elevating collective technical capabilities and service delivery. Remained resilient under pressure to manage and resolve high-stakes client complaints, protecting business relationships and consistently exceeding service level agreements.

HR & Employment Law Consultant - Citation - Wilmslow

(2018-04 - 2022-01)

Delivered bespoke, commercially focused risk-management solutions to a diverse portfolio of businesses operating in fast-paced, multi-site environments. Coached and guided business owners and managers through critical lifecycles, including discipline, grievances, and restructuring, providing clear risk-balanced options rather than rigid box-ticking. Managed and prioritized a high volume of complex enquiries via phone, email, and on-site consultancy, maintaining high engagement and swift response times during periods of shifting demands.

Customer Operations Manager - The Guinness Partnership (TGP) - Crewe

(2016-07 - 2017-07)

Led, motivated and inspired the neighbourhood services team to deliver amazing customer service. Managed and supported my teams to implement changes to front line services in Guinness Cheshire. Worked in partnership with key internal and external stakeholders.

Neighbourhoods Manager - The Guinness Partnership (Wulvern) - Crewe

(2016-07 - 2017-07)

Delivering neighbourhood services on time, in budget and within our Key Performance Indicator targets. Shaping services to make it easier and simpler for customers and employees. Supporting my teams to build open and honest working relationships.

HR Business Partner - Wulvern Housing - Crewe

(2014-05 - 2016-07)

Employment Law and HR Advisor - Citation - Newcastle-under-Lyme

(2007-07 - 2014-05)

HR Manager - Northern Security Limited - Carlisle

(2005-09 - 2007-07)

HR Manager, Team Manager, HR Assistant (Maternity Cover x2), Purchase Ledger Clerk/Wages Clerk - Key Safety Systems Limited - Carlisle

(1992-04 - 2005-08)

Masters in Business Administration - Business Administration - University of Northumbria, Carlisle Campus (2001 - 2001)

Post Graduate Diploma in HRM - Human Resource Management - University of Northumbria, Carlisle Campus (2003 - 2003)

Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies - Management Studies - Institute of Management (1999 - 2000)