HR & Employee Relations Advisor - Interim

Job Description

Location: Milton Keynes/London (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Reporting to: Head of HR

Working hours: Full time/Part time (9 day fortnight)

Contract type: FTC until 31st March 2025

Salary: £49,000 - £55,000 (salary depending on office location and proven ability)

About us:

The Catapult Network was established by Innovate UK to accelerate pioneering work and research in innovation to drive economic growth.

The success of the Catapults has been in their ability to bring different sectors together around a shared ambition, and to operate at the nexus of sectors: industry, research, academia and government.

About the role:

As the HR & Employee Relations Advisor you will be working with our colleagues and line managers to provide expertise, advice and management information across a full range of generalist HR activities, whilst delivering against key initiatives to support the achievement of the HR strategy.

Responsibilities:

• Give guidance, coach and develop managers on all aspects of HR issues with the employee lifecycle including terms & conditions, performance management and employee relations

• Advise, coach and support managers in complex ER casework, such as disciplinary, performance management, flexible working, absence management, TUPE, and grievance.

• Support on the development of HR related Employee Guides and Procedures

• Lead on the maintenance and development of the reward platform (currently Reward Gateway), ensuring it is kept up to date and linking into other areas of business as appropriate

• Be an advocate for continuous improvement throughout the business, suggesting and implementing changes to ensure we deliver best practice and are legally compliant.

• Leading on a range of workforce projects and business change requirements.

• Supporting the HR Advisor – Process and Data, conduct MI analysis on key HR metrics such as absence, leavers, starters, disciplinary and capability matters as well as other MI on an adhoc basis implementing initiatives to improve data where needed.

• Identify areas of improvement, opportunity and innovation and work with members of the wider team to implement any agreed changes

• Build and maintain strong relationships across the business ensuring managers are supported

• Act as a mentor to more junior members of the HR team. Contribute to the ongoing development of the wider team, sharing knowledge, learning and expertise.

• To work on any HR projects as and when required

• Uphold and promote CPC’s values, ensuring an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contributing to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities

• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations

Requirements

Essential

• Experience of managing HR / legislative processes

• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and translating that into policy

• Ability to assess and review company HR policies to reflect the organisation's culture and ensuring these are in line with current legislation

• Ability to work with limited supervision under pressure and to tight deadlines

• Experience of organising training and creating plans/timelines for future courses

• Excellence at managing positive relations with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels, being persuasive and approachable

• Experience of all aspects of the employee lifecycle

• Experience of working with data and presenting this in an easy-to-read format

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills

• Hands-on experience of HR systems

• Experience providing clear and accurate HR advice to managers and employees on ER matters, ensuring compliance and consistency with company policies and procedures

Desirable

• Ability to coach or train new line managers on HR processes

• Ability to provide guidance to junior staff

• CIPD Qualification

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, we have a full company shutdown every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme with bike racks and showers available, encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.