Staff Vacancies

JOB TITLE: Human Resources Officer (Generalist)

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations

SUMMARY

As the HR Officer, you will play a key role in supporting employee lifecycle processes across the College. You will provide administrative support for a wide range of activities including employee search, interviewing, appointments, ID collection, right to work checks, safer recruitment processes, contract issuing, probation, contract changes, DBS checks, sickness, extended family leave, holidays, resignations and retirement, ensuring these are delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with agreed procedures. You will maintain employee records, process employee changes, update HR systems, produce correspondence and help ensure the accuracy and integrity of HR information.

Acting as a first point of contact for HR enquiries, you will provide a professional and responsive service to employees and managers, resolving queries and directing more complex matters to the appropriate Head of Department.

Key Responsibilities

1. Recruitment and Selection

• Workforce Planning assistance
  • Collaborate with department heads to identify staffing needs and support the  recruitment process .
• Full-Cycle Recruitment
  • Prepare and post job advertisements on appropriate platforms.
  • Screen and shortlist candidates, coordinating and conducting interviews alongside hiring managers.
  • Manage applicant tracking systems and maintain recruitment records.
• Onboarding
  • Design and implement comprehensive onboarding programs for new hires.
  • Facilitate orientation sessions to introduce new staff to college culture, policies, and procedures.

2. Employee Relations

• Advisory Support
  • Serve as the first point of contact for employee inquiries regarding HR policies, benefits, and workplace issues.
  • Provide guidance on employment legislation and college policies.
• Conflict Resolution
  • Mediate employee disputes and facilitate resolution in a fair and confidential manner.
  • Conduct investigations into grievances and disciplinary matters, ensuring due process is followed.
• Engagement Initiatives
  • Develop programs to enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

3. Performance Appraisals

• • Assist with annual performance review process, ensuring timely and constructive feedback.
  • Support managers on effective appraisal techniques and objective setting.

4. Compliance and Legal Responsibilities

• Policy Management
  • Review and update HR policies and procedures to reflect changes in employment law.
  • Ensure employee handbooks and policy documents are current and accessible (in conjunction with Kingfishers).
• Regulatory Compliance
  • Maintain compliance with UK employment laws, including right-to-work checks and visa requirements.
  • Prepare and submit reports to regulatory bodies, such as gender pay gap reporting.
• Data Protection
  • Ensure all HR data handling complies with GDPR regulations.
  • Implement best practices for data security and confidentiality.

5. Compensation and Benefits

• Payroll Administration
  • Verify payroll data and coordinate with the finance department for accurate processing.
  • Assist with salary reviews and implement pay adjustments in line with college policies.

6. Attendance and Leave Management

• Monitoring Systems
  • Implement and manage attendance tracking systems.
  • Approve and record leave requests (where necessary), ensuring adequate staffing levels are maintained.
• Absence Management
  • Address frequent absenteeism and work with employees to identify underlying issues.
  • Develop return-to-work plans for employees following extended absences.

7. Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

• Wellbeing Programs
  • Promote health and wellbeing initiatives, such as mental health awareness and work-life balance programs.
  • Coordinate with external providers for employee assistance programs.
• Health and Safety Compliance
  • Ensure workplace practices comply with health and safety regulations.
  • Conduct risk assessments and coordinate mandatory training.

8. HR Records

• System Management
  • Maintain and update employee records.
• Process Automation
  • Identify opportunities to streamline HR processes through technology enhancements.

9. Regulatory Compliance (Safeguarding)

• • Ensure all staff have up-to-date DBS checks and maintain the Single Central Record.
  • Report any safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidelines.

10. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Policy Development
  • Develop and promote DEI policies to foster an inclusive workplace.

11. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Cross-Functional Engagement
  • Work closely with academic leaders, administrative staff, and external partners.
  • Represent the HR department in meetings and committees as required.
• Communication
  • Ensure open lines of communication across departments concerning HR matters.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential 

• Level 5 CIPD status or equivalent experience;
• A proven track record in the successful delivery of generalist HR case work, including recruitment/selection (and safer recruitment processes), absence management, performance and grievances;
• A problem solving/ approach to work with the ability to adapt your style as work dictates;
• Experience of working independently whilst also being able to work effectively as part of a team;
• Proven verbal and written communication skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with managers and staff;
• Experience of and a commitment to service excellence and continuous service improvement.

Desirable

• Experience of using HR information systems and be able to interpret and analyse statistical HR data;
• Level 7 Advanced CIPD status (or working towards).

Key Attributes (to be assessed at interview stage)

• An enthusiastic, self-motivated and resilient style to dealing with difficult situations;
• A proven commitment to your own personal and professional development, demonstrating self-awareness and an ability to reflect and adapt.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Apply

To apply please send a covering letter and CV to jobs@ucdg.ac.uk