HR Operations Officer - Maternity cover

Chatham House; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual leave (approx. 37 days)

Pension salary exchange

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Chatham House is seeking an organised HR Operations Officer to provide high-quality operational support across the employee lifecycle in a hybrid London role. You will manage HR systems, oversee onboarding, payroll queries, and evidence-based reporting, while collaborating with HR colleagues to continually improve processes.

This is a 15-month fixed-term contract based at St James's Square; you will be expected to work onsite at least 2 days per week.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR administration or HR operations with payroll support and data validation.
• Confidence using HR systems and databases, with an interest in HR technology and process improvement.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience producing reports and working with HR analytics.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain HR systems, supporting day-to-day administration, data integrity, user experience and process improvements.
• Administer employee benefits and liaise with providers, colleagues and finance partners as needed.
• Coordinate onboarding, changes, moves, remuneration review and offboarding processes.
• Provide recruitment coordination support, including interviews and candidate communications via the ATS.
• Act as first point of contact for routine HR and payroll queries with timely, accurate responses.

Skills

HR administration

Payroll support

HR systems

Data analysis

Tools

Applicant Tracking System

HRIS

Job description

We are looking for an organised, proactive and detail-focused HR Operations Officer to provide high-quality operational support across the employee lifecycle. This is a varied role at the heart of our HR team, helping to ensure our people processes, systems and data run smoothly and effectively.

What You Will Do

• Manage and maintain HR systems, supporting day-to-day administration, data integrity, user experience and process improvements.
• Administer employee benefits and liaise with relevant providers, colleagues and finance partners as needed.
• Coordinate key employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, probation, contractual changes, internal moves, remuneration review administration and offboarding.
• Provide recruitment coordination support, including interview scheduling, candidate communications and administration through the applicant tracking system.
• Act as a first point of contact for routine HR and payroll queries, ensuring responses are timely, accurate and helpful.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in HR administration, HR operations or people coordination, ideally including payroll support and data validation.
• Confidence using HR systems and databases, with an interest in HR technology, systems development and continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, producing reports and working with HR analytics.

Please see the full job description here: https://careers.chathamhouse.org/pages/hr-operations-officer-maternity-cover

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary

£38,000 per year.

Contract

Full-time, 15 month fixed-term contract.

Location

St James's Square, London. This is a hybrid role based in our London office. The successful candidate will be expected to work onsite at least 2 days per week.

Application closing Date

Wednesday 30 September 2026, 23:59 BST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date could be brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged.