UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Hiring for HR Operations Adviser at Didcot Full Time

HR Operations Adviser

Salary: 31,931

Hours: Full time or Part time.

Contract Type: 1 permanent role and 1 Fixed Term (maternity cover).

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire OR Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Closing date: 20th February 2022

The purpose of the role is to provide a comprehensive HR service to senior managers, line managers and staff in a specific business area whilst working closely with HR colleagues across UKRI. This will include advising on all aspects of the employee lifecycle, undertaking or supporting case management activity using professional HR and legislative knowledge and coaching and influencing to ensure staff are managed and developed in line with best practice principles and UKRI’s business objectives.

The HR Operations Adviser will be promoting HR policies, practices, processes and initiatives and will actively work to build effective working relationships. They will be required to influence manager decisions on people management issues as well as challenge and persuade as appropriate. They will also lead on or support other HR projects as appropriate.

The Role and responsibilities:
Manage day-to-day queries, providing professional, timely, accurate and robust advice and guidance to managers and staff in line with the HR delegation framework on a wide range of HR queries including pay, attendance, working patterns, performance management, etc., providing advice on associated policies and completion of forms as appropriate

Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases etc.

Work closely with Strategic HR Business Partners and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organisation

Build effective working relationships with managers and staff and with other HR colleagues to support the maintenance and development of best practice policies and procedures

Participate as appropriate in the development and delivery of HR learning and personal development initiatives

Lead or support on HR-related projects as appropriate

Review and analyse MI data and trends in order to make recommendations on data-driven HR actions

Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work, to ensure that records are kept up to date and letters, guidance and templates etc are accurate and appropriate

Contacts and Communication

The HR Operations Adviser will:
Provide advice and guidance to senior managers, line managers and staff

Build positive relationships with colleagues across the HR function, in particular maintaining close and regular contact with the Strategic HR Business Partners

Liaise with colleagues in UKSBS, and other external organisations as appropriate

Essential Criteria

Current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role, ideally in a diverse and demanding environment.

Appropriate CIPD Qualification or equivalent skills and knowledge gained from working in an HR role

Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present information, to persuade, influence, counsel, support or challenge people at all levels, often in sensitive circumstances, and to treat information confidentially

Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own time effectively

Ability to apply judgement and decision-making to find innovative solutions which meet customer needs, within policy or procedural requirements

Ability to work with ambiguity and conflicting priorities

A track record of effectively managing a range of casework

A self-motivated, results-focused and proactive, approach to work, with a strong record of delivery

A proven track record of team-focused behaviour

Willingness to travel to other sites (applies to some of the roles)

Desirable Criteria

Good all-round knowledge of UK Employment law and HR best practice

Line management skills

Sound IT skills and proficiency in the use of spreadsheets and data manipulation, specifically, analytical skills and the ability to identify, analyse and make appropriate recommendations

Ability to learn quickly and champion best practice and continuous improvement

Note for internal applicants: this role is positioned at Band D to reflect the need for specialist HR knowledge and expertise, and the requirement to apply authoritative advice and judgement in the day-to-day. This role is differentiated from Band C by the greater scale and complexity of management and delivery requirements.

If you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected]

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.