Matt Conlin

Strategic people professional with robust experience, a Master's in Human Resource Management and CIPD Level 7 accreditation. A holistic approach to people practice underpins the ability to shape positive workplace culture, strengthen employee wellbeing and drive organisational performance through evidence-based methods. A unique level of first-hand experience for this stage of a career, supported by exposure to employment law across the USA, UK, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, contributes to well-rounded and informed decision-making. Expertise spans recruitment, employee relations, conflict resolution, training delivery and people analytics. Strong discretion, sound judgement and trusted, constructive relationships at all levels characterise an approach that supports managers, empowers employees and fosters a collaborative, high-performing environment.

Belfast
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Skills
Work Experience
People Advisor
Greenwich Leisure LimitedBelfast
Feb 2025 — Present
  • Manage a portfolio of 300-400 employees across eight centres, providing specialist HR advice and operational support
  • Work closely with trade unions, confidently managing complex and challenging meetings with professionalism and composure
  • Support investigations from start to finish, ensuring compliance, fairness, and adherence to organisational procedures and N.I. employment law
  • Operate an open-door policy for staff, promoting early intervention, and reducing potential grievances and complaints
  • Partner with managers on recruitment, attendance management, employee relations, and performance management
  • Provide clear, practical guidance on HR policies and best practices to enhance management capability
  • Ensure compliance with HR legislation and organisational procedures
  • Support confidential and sensitive HR matters, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes
  • Lead on regional safeguarding training, forums, and safeguarding-related issues, ensuring consistent standards and best practice
  • Contribute to regional negotiation processes alongside the Labour Relations Agency, supporting constructive and balanced resolutions
  • Regular delivery of training on policy and employment law updates
HR Business Partner/Senior Specialist
Smurfit WestrockBelfast, Northern Ireland
Jun 2024 — Apr 2025
  • Creating and implementing company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with U.K employment law
  • Coordinating recruitment efforts by establishing interview and selection procedures, developing job announcements, descriptions and interview materials along with conducting interviews, identifying and selecting outstanding candidates
Human Resources Management Intern
Hilton (Waldorf Astoria & Signia)Florida, United States of America
Apr 2023 — Apr 2024
  • Leading recruitment campaigns - writing job descriptions in line with Hilton values, posting job openings, shortlisting candidates, and conducting interviews
  • Onboarding activities such as organising and delivering inductions for new starts
  • Carrying out first-hand training for new and current members of the Hilton Culinary department
  • Acted as the first point of contact for employee concerns or queries
  • Being exposed to a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds, ensuring flexibility and cooperation for each individual need
Human Resources Generalist
Sliced MealsNorthern Ireland
Jan 2021 — Mar 2023
  • Recruiting
  • Training
  • Overseeing operations within the business
Chef
Marriot Swan and Dolphin HotelOrlando, Florida, United States of America
Oct 2019 — Oct 2020
  • Operating in several restaurants across the hotel as part of my one-year university placement
Human Resources Consultant
Made in TempoNorthern Ireland
Apr 2020 — Aug 2020
  • Evaluating key performance indicators
  • Creating schedules
  • Overseeing payroll
  • Conducting interviews
  • Marketing the company brand
Supervisor
Little WingNorthern Ireland
Sep 2017 — Mar 2020
  • Recruitment duties: selecting candidates, conducting interviews, providing inductions
  • Operational management: providing firsthand training to new starts, conducting meetings, voicing employee concerns to senior management
Chef
Holohan's PantryNorthern Ireland
Jan 2018 — Sep 2019
  • Running stations during service, prepping, helping to maintain the five-star health rating
Media Journalist Work Experience
UTVNorthern Ireland
Jan 2017 — Dec 2017
  • Developing tv scripts, shadowing experienced members of the media industry, operating on-set equipment
Skills
Employment lawHR policy developmentEmployee relationsPerformance managementTraining facilitationConflict resolutionSafeguarding practicesTrade union collaborationPeople managementCompliance regulation understandingCross-cultural sensitivityWritten and verbal communicationInterpersonal skillsMicrosoft Office proficiencyPatience and perseveranceProficiency in Microsoft OfficeKnowledge of employment law and workplace regulationsExcellent interpersonal skills
Education
Master of Science, Human Resources Management
Queen's University Belfast
Sept 2022 — Sept 2023MSc with Commendation
  • Level 7 CIPD Accreditation
Bachelor of Science, Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
Ulster University Belfast
Sept 2019 — Aug 2022First Degree Honors
Btec Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma, Creative Media Production (Television And Film)
SOUTHWEST COLLEGE ENNISKILLEN
Dec 2018 — Dec 2018Distinction
A Levels, English literature, Religion, Business Studies
ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN
Dec 2017 — Dec 2017English literature (A), Religion (B), Business Studies (C)
GCSEs
ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE, ENNISKILLEN
Dec 2009 — Dec 201610 Grades A-C, Inc. Maths, English, Science
HOBBIES AND INTERESTS
Fitness and wellbeing - active in GLL Society physical events
Travel and exploring new cultures
Volunteering and community involvement
Personal development and learning
Creative interests including writing and photography
DRIVING LICENCE
Full UK driving license
REFERENCES
Elaine McNeil
HR manager, Smurfit Westrock

1 Enterprise Way, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, BT36 4EW, GB, +44 07825206871, [email protected]