Human Resources Administration Lead

HCML; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Annual Leave: 25 days + BH

Job summary

HCML seeks an experienced HR Administration Lead to oversee day-to-day HR admin across the employee lifecycle on a 6-month fixed-term contract with immediate start. The role is hybrid in Croydon, 37.5 hours weekly, with flexibility considered for the right candidate.

Responsibilities include managing HR admins, ensuring process accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement, while collaborating with HR partners and stakeholders. Closing date 30 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an HR Administration, HR Coordinator, or HR Operations role.
• Strong knowledge of HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
• Experience supervising, mentoring or coordinating a team.
• Experience supporting audits, ISO standards, or quality assurance activities.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day oversight of all HR administration activities across the employee lifecycle.
• Manage, support and develop the HR Administrator(s), providing guidance and quality assurance.
• Allocate workload effectively to meet priorities and deadlines.
• Act as escalation point for complex administrative queries.
• Ensure a professional, responsive HR administration service.

Skills

HR Administration

Organisational skills

Communication

Prioritisation

Supervision/Coordination

Audits/QA

GDPR knowledge

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Job title: Human Resources Administration Lead

Location: Croydon (Hybrid)

Salary: £33,000 to £40,000 FTE per year

Status: 6 month Fixed Term Contract - Immediate start is desirable

Working Hours: This role is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week Mon to Fri). We are, however, open to considering flexible working arrangements for the right candidate

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

Interviews: Taking place in early October.

HCML is the UK’s leading provider of rehabilitation, case management, occupational health, and workplace wellbeing services. We’re proud to be recognised as a 2025 UK’s Best Workplace for Wellbeing and for Best Workplaces in Healthcare™ 2026, reflecting our commitment to supporting the growth, development, and wellbeing of our people.

We are seeking an experienced HR Administration Lead to join our Human Resources Team on a 6-month fixed-term contract to support the next phase of development within our People function.

This role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact by bringing expertise, structure and operational excellence to our HR administration activities. Working across the employee lifecycle, you will help enhance existing processes, identify opportunities for improvement and support the delivery of an efficient, scalable and colleague-focused HR service.

Purpose of Role:

The HR Administration Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day HR administration function, ensuring the delivery of an efficient, compliant and high-quality HR administrative service across HCML.

The role will lead and coordinate HR administrative activities throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring processes are completed accurately, consistently and within agreed timescales. Working closely with HR Business Partners, the Talent Acquisition & Development Specialist and wider stakeholders, the postholder will provide operational oversight, quality assurance and continuous improvement of HR administration processes.

This is a hands-on role requiring an experienced HR professional who can quickly understand existing processes, identify risks and inefficiencies, implement improvements and maintain high standards of compliance, data integrity and customer service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day oversight of all HR administration activities across the employee lifecycle.
• Manage, support and develop the HR Administrator(s), providing guidance, coaching and quality assurance.
• Allocate workload effectively, ensuring priorities and deadlines are met.
• Act as an escalation point for complex administrative queries.
• Ensure a professional, responsive and customer-focused HR administration service.

Employee Lifecycle Administration

Oversee and coordinate all HR administration activities relating to:

• Recruitment and onboarding.
• Employment contracts and contractual changes.
• Family leave and flexible working administration.
• Learning and development administration.
• Leaver processes and offboarding.
• Ensure all documentation is accurate, compliant and issued within agreed service standards.

Compliance, Governance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure HR processes are compliant with employment legislation, GDPR and company policies.
• Maintain accurate and auditable employee records.
• Conduct regular audits of HR files, systems and documentation.
• Monitor adherence to HR procedures and identify areas of risk.
• Support internal and external audits as required.
• Ensure documentation retention and destruction requirements are met.
• Maintain process controls and quality standards across the HR function.

HR Systems & Data Management

• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of HR systems and employee data.
• Oversee system updates relating to starters, movers and leavers.
• Produce and validate HR reports, metrics and workforce information.
• Support implementation of process improvements and system enhancements.
• Ensure confidential handling of sensitive employee information.

Recruitment & Talent Administration Support

Working closely with the Talent Acquisition & Development Specialist:

• Coordinate recruitment administration and pre-employment checks.
• Monitor recruitment workflows and onboarding processes.
• Support candidate and hiring manager communications.
• Ensure onboarding activities are completed within expected timescales.
• Maintain accurate recruitment records and compliance documentation.

HR Business Partner Support

Working closely with HR Business Partners:

• Coordinate documentation relating to employee relations matters.
• Support changes to terms and conditions, restructures and organisational change projects.
• Ensure documentation and records are accurately maintained.
• Assist with preparation of HR reports and management information.
• Review existing HR processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency and customer experience.
• Develop and maintain process maps, templates, guidance documents and standard operating procedures.
• Introduce and monitor quality control measures.
• Recommend improvements to systems, reporting and administration practices.
• Promote best practice across the HR team.

Stakeholder Management

Build effective working relationships with managers and employees across HCML.

• Provide professional and proactive support and guidance on HR administration processes.
• Work collaboratively with Payroll, Finance, IT, Compliance, Quality and operational teams.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Act in accordance with HCML values and behaviours.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role.

Person Specification:

• Significant experience in an HR Administration, HR Coordinator, or HR Operations role.
• Strong knowledge of HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
• Experience maintaining HR systems, employee records, and HR databases.
• Experience producing accurate HR documentation and reports.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Demonstrable experience of reviewing, improving, and streamlining HR processes.
• Experience working in a healthcare, regulated, or compliance-driven environment.
• Experience supporting audits, ISO standards, quality assurance activities, or quality management systems.
• Knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of others.
• Experience supporting organisational change, growth, or business transformation initiatives.

Knowledge

• Good understanding of UK employment legislation.
• Strong knowledge of HR administration best practice.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Knowledge of recruitment, onboarding and employee lifecycle processes.
• Understanding of HR compliance and governance requirements.

Skills

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.Ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and proactive.
• Pragmatic and solution-focused.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Professional and confidential.
• Committed to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Positive, collaborative and supportive team player.

Company Benefits:

• Medicash Health Cash Plan: Which includes ability to claim back dental, optical, and chiropody costs. Plus, add your dependent children for free! + 24/7 Digital Health: Round-the-clock access to a virtual GP helpline and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) + Mental Health Support: Up to 8 fully funded face-to-face counselling or CBT sessions
• Payroll Giving: Support the causes you love directly from your gross pay
• Annual Leave: 25 days + BH, plus Birthday Leave to celebrate your special day
• Flexibility: Option to buy or sell up to 3 days of holiday each year
• Giving Back: Up to 2 fully paid Volunteering/Community days per year
• Family First: Enhanced, generous Maternity and Paternity policies, alongside comprehensive Company Sick Pay
• Professional Development: We fund professional subscriptions and registrations post-probation, alongside internal promotion and secondment opportunities
• Rewarding Excellence: Annual pay reviews, discretionary bonus schemes, and regular staff awards to celebrate your hard work plus a regular events and activities throughout the year

HCML is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.