HR Operations Advisors x 3

UKRI; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading organization in a dynamic HR role where you will manage queries, support casework, and contribute to HR projects. This position offers hybrid working and opportunities for professional development, making it ideal for self-motivated individuals.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Employee shopping/travel discounts

Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in operational HR role in a diverse environment.
• CIPD Qualification or equivalent skills required.
• Excellent communication skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day HR queries and provide guidance.
• Support casework including sickness and performance management.
• Participate in HR learning and development initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Judgment

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Education

CIPD Qualification

Tools

Spreadsheets

Job description

Salary: £36,650
Hours: Full Time / Part Time
Contract Type:Fixed Term Contract (12 Months – Maternity Cover)
Location: 2 x Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working) 1 x Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon (Hybrid Working)
Grade: D

Closing Date: 2nd June 2025

**Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.**

Job Overview:

Do you have experience of working in an operational HR role where no two days are the same? Are you self-motivated, happy to use your own judgement and provide sound support to colleagues at varying levels? If yes, then this role is for you........

People are at the centre of all we do. Your role will be varied and fast paced with learning opportunities along the way. As a large team of HR professionals, we strive to provide high quality provisions to c6500 employees across UKRI, by working together and supporting each other.

You will be joining UKRI at an exciting time as we gear up to launching our new HR, Reporting, Accounting and Procurement System. This will bring improved functionality and simplified processes to assist Employees and Managers to ‘self-serve’ HR first line enquiries.

Our fantastic team is based across several locations. We understand the importance of a hybrid working environment and encourage our team to work from home three days per week. The other days are spent on-site collaborating with the members of the HR team.

Key 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 appropriat
• Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases etc.
• Work closely with colleagues in the HR Operations Team, Strategic HR Business Partners and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organization
• 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
• Liaise with colleagues in UKSBS, and other external organisations as appropriate

Person Specification:

(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria

Essential

• Current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role, ideally in a diverse and demanding environment (S & I)
• Appropriate CIPD Qualification or equivalent skills and knowledge gained from working in an HR role(S & I)
• 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(S & I)
• Ability to work on own initiative and to manage own time effectively(S & I)
• A track record of effectively managing a range of casework(S & I)
• Ability to apply judgement and decision-making to find innovative solutions which meet customer needs, within policy or procedural requirements(I)
• Ability to work with ambiguity and conflicting priorities(I)
• A self-motivated, results-focused and proactive, approach to work, with a strong record of delivery(I)
• A proven track record of team-focused behaviour(I)

Desirable

• Good all-round knowledge of UK Employment law and HR best practice
• Line management skills & experience
• 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

Application Guidance

How to evidence the criteria:

You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the ‘person specification’ criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit:The STAR method | National Careers Service ’.

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

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 atwww.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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.