HR Operations Advisor

UK Research & Innovation

Salary: £36,650
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working)

Closing Date: 2nd June 2025

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. Whilst we work in a hybrid environment, we do require on-site working twice a week as we believe spending time in person and collaborating is important for us as individuals and as a team.  We do however understand the balance of work / life pressures; therefore, our team work flexibly around their personal commitments. 

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’.