Retained Services
Transform your HR function with ongoing strategic partnership
Get the expertise of a senior HR professional without the full-time hire. My retained services provide outsourced HR leadership at the level you need—from foundational advisory support to strategic CPO-level guidance. Each tier gives you the skills and experience of that role, delivered as an external partnership.
Why Choose Outsourced HR Leadership?
Instead of hiring a full-time HR Manager (£50k-70k salary + benefits + equity), get the same expertise and strategic thinking for a fraction of the cost. Perfect for companies that need senior HR capability but aren't ready for a full-time hire.
Outsourced HR Leadership Levels
Advisory Lite
Early-stage founder support
- Email and phone support (48-hour response)
- Practical guidance on contracts and hiring
- HR compliance checklists
- Monthly 30-minute check-in call
- Access to founder toolkit
- Up to 4 hours per month
Advisory Plus
Growing teams building structure
- All Advisory Lite features
- Policy and contract customisation
- Onboarding documentation templates
- Monthly strategic advice call
- Biotech-specific template library
- Up to 8 hours per month
Outsourced HR Advisor
HR Advisor expertise without the full-time hire
- All Advisory Plus features
- Employee relations case support
- Line manager coaching
- Performance management guidance
- People Risk Assessment included
- Policy Suite Subscription included
- Up to 10 hours per month
Outsourced HR Manager
HR Manager expertise without the full-time hire
- All HR Advisor features
- HR process and workflow design
- Tech/tooling support (HRIS, ATS)
- Manager development programmes
- Culture embedding activities
- People data/reporting frameworks
- Up to 12 hours per month
Outsourced Head of People
Head of People expertise without the full-time hire
- All HR Manager features
- Organisational design & structure
- Senior leader coaching
- Retention & succession planning
- Employer brand development
- Engagement improvement programmes
- Up to 16 hours per month
Virtual CPO
Chief People Officer expertise without the full-time hire
- All Head of People features
- Board and investor reporting
- IPO, M&A readiness support
- C-suite development programmes
- Crisis management planning
- International compliance planning
- Up to 20 hours per month
Coming Soon: Enhanced Online Subscriptions
We're launching additional online portal subscription services to complement your retained partnership:
Policy Portal Subscription
Online portal with always-updated policy templates, quarterly legal reviews, and industry-specific additions. Download editable Word formats with implementation guidance.
Handbook Portal Subscription
Complete employee handbook templates accessed through secure online portal. Updated with employment law changes and customisable for your company culture.
How Retained Partnerships Work
Discovery & Onboarding
We start with a comprehensive assessment of your current people challenges and build a tailored support plan.
Regular Strategic Support
Monthly allocated hours for ongoing guidance, with priority response times and proactive problem-solving.
Continuous Optimisation
We regularly review and refine our support to ensure it evolves with your growing company's needs.
Ready to Transform Your People Function?
Let's discuss which retained service level would work best for your company's stage and challenges. From early-stage founder support to board-level strategic guidance, we'll find the right partnership model.
Service Tiers
Choose the perfect partnership level to transform your HR function. Each tier brings its own blend of strategic support, practical solutions, and that special touch of HR magic that makes Ostara HR unique.
| Service Features |
Bronze
|
Silver
|
Gold
|
Platinum
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Investment | £1,500 | £2,500 | £5,000 | £7,000 |
| Monthly Hours | Up to 15 | Up to 20 | Up to 35 | Up to 40 |
| Response Time | Within 48 hours | Within 36 hours | Within 24 hours | Same day |
| On-site Visits | - | Quarterly (1) | Quarterly (2) | Monthly |
| Core Services | ||||
| Employee Relations Guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HR Advisory Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Policy Interpretation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compliance Advice | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic HR Process Improvement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Support | ||||
| Complex ER Case Management | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HR Strategy Guidance | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Management Coaching | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employee Engagement Initiatives | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Technology Assessment | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Strategic Services | ||||
| Strategic HR Planning | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Executive Coaching | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced HR Analytics | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Change Management Support | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Succession Planning | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Executive-Level Support | ||||
| Virtual CHRO Services | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Strategic Workforce Planning | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Weekly Executive Strategy Sessions | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Organisational Design & Development | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Board-Level HR Strategy Presentations | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Digital Products | ||||
| Access to Templates & Documents | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discount on Digital Products | 25% | 30% | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Complimentary Policy Bundle | Essential | Complete | Custom | Bespoke |
| Legislative Updates | Quarterly | Monthly | Weekly | Weekly |
| Additional Benefits | ||||
| HR Audit | - | - | Annual | Annual |
| Wellbeing Initiative Planning | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| HR Technology Review | - | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Project Work Credit | - | £1,000 | £2,500 | £3,500 |
| Commitment | ||||
| Minimum Term | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| Notice Period | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Best For | SMEs requiring foundational HR support | Small-Mid sized businesses seeking strategic enhancement | Larger organisations or companies undergoing significant transformation | Large enterprises requiring executive-level HR partnership |
Ready to Transform Your HR Function?
Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss which service tier is right for your organisation. Together, we'll explore how to bring that special blend of compliance and creativity to your workplace challenges.
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