University of the West of England Hiring for HR Officer at Bristol Full Time

About the role: This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience of working in an operational HR role and giving front line HR advice, who is looking to continue to build on their HR career within a large complex Higher Education organisation.

Based in the HR Advice Hub, this role provides generalist HR advice to managers and staff at all levels across the organisation on a range of employment related issues such as attendance management, disciplinary matters, capability issues, grievances and flexible working. This will include robust and supportive case management of routine employee relations issues (i.e. disciplinary and grievance) in collaboration with managers across UWE.

About you: You will provide advice on terms and conditions, employment policies and procedures, undertaking project work as required. You will have an interest in continuous improvement, proposing changes to policies in light of practical experience on their implementation.

We are looking for candidates who have:
Experience of working in an operational HR role, providing front line advice and guidance, within a large and complex organisation;

The ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with a diverse client base at every level throughout the organisation;

The ability to maintain a professional and diplomatic manner in emotive or pressurised situations;

Efficient, with excellent prioritisation, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly, on a number of projects at one time, to tight deadlines and at time under pressure;

A proactive and pragmatic approach to problem solving including interpreting and explaining policies;

The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and to recognise the need for absolute discretion and confidentiality;

The ability to exercise judgement and escalate issues when appropriate;

Significant experience of using a variety of IT systems including databases, Microsoft Office etc.;

About Us: We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with over 30,000 students, 250,000 alumni and 3,800 staff. We are both globally connected and regionally embedded, with strong employer and partner connections. Our staff and students come from over 160 countries making this a diverse, dynamic and rewarding place to work and study.

We are an ambitious university. Together, our people are working hard to advance knowledge, inspire people and transform futures. We are looking for people with the skills and ambition to help us achieve those aims.

We have a lot to be proud of at UWE, our achievements include an impressive 88% overall student satisfaction in the most recent National Student Satisfaction survey, placing us 2nd of all universities in England and 7th in the UK. We are 6th in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey) and importantly, 96% of UWE Bristol graduates are in employment or further study within six months after graduation. We have also achieved TEF Gold status, have been ranked 21st in The Guardian Best UK Universities 2021 and 29th in the latest Times Higher Education ‘Table of Tables’.

Bristol itself is a hub of social and cultural activity and is a big pull for students and employers alike. A city with a creative and fiercely independent mindset, a vibrant music scene, great restaurants and interesting business ventures. Bristol was the first British city to win the European Green Capital award in 2015,and National Geographic listed Bristol as 11th in the world’s ‘cool list’ destinations.

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed – with £300m having been invested recently on new state-of-the-art learning spaces and accommodation while incredible new facilities continue to be developed to enhance our offer even further.

The University will be implementing a hybrid way of working once restrictions from Covid 19 end therefore you will be expected to work on campus for part of your working week. Exact days will be agreed with your line manager.

Further information:
If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Caroline Beer on 0117 328 7918 or email: [email protected]

This is a full-time, fixed-term post for one year, working 37 hours per week.

This post is available on a job share basis for applicants wishing to work part time.

The University’s normal practice is that new appointments will be made at the starting point of the grade.

In addition to progressive pay rates, UWE Bristol offers a wide range of employee benefits including:

a generous holiday allowance of 25 days

up to 12.5 bank holiday/closure days per year

flexible working

excellent defined benefit pension schemes

access to employee assistance programme

ongoing learning and development opportunities

family friendly policies and wellbeing initiatives

onsite nursery at our Frenchay Campus.

savings on purchases via Wider Wallet scheme

option to participate in the cycle to work scheme

UWE is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity to create an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who share our ambition to be a university recognised for the success and impact of our practice-oriented programmes; our strong industry networks and our inclusive global outlook.

We particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates as we are currently under-represented in these areas within UWE Bristol – although all appointments will be made on merit.

We are able to sponsor qualifying candidates for this role under the Home Office Skilled Worker visa route. Please read our Skilled Worker Guidance to assess if you will be eligible to be sponsored under the criteria.

Please also refer to the Home Office Right to Work Checklist which provides details of which documents are acceptable to prove your right to work in the UK. If shortlisted you will be asked to produce your right to work documents at your interview.