Senior People Officer

We are looking for a Senior People Officer to join our National Support Team. You ll play a key role in shaping a positive, inclusive, values-driven culture and deliver excellent HR support across the charity. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join an innovative, supportive and purpose-driven team with opportunity for personal development and growth.

Are you passionate about babies and young children having the best start in life?

HENRY is a national charity that is making a real difference to the lives of young children and their families. We believe every child deserves a healthy, happy start and we work with communities across the UK to make that happen.

Please go to the career page on our website for more information about the role. To apply please click on the 'apply now' button.

Closing date for completed applications: 9 am Monday 15th December

Task and interviews: At our office in Eynsham - date TBC

Overview of role:

The team:

You will join our National Support Office team based in Eynsham, supporting our charitable work with families and professionals across the UK. The Senior People Officer is line managed by the Head of People who, together with outsourced support and advice, form the People function within HENRY. You will also work closely with our Finance team, IT Manager, CEO and people managers within the organisation.

Work base and travel:

This role works 3 days per week from our office in Eynsham (Tuesday Thursday) and two days per week remotely from home (Monday and Friday).

Hours:

This is a full-time role of 37.5hours per week. Employees can take advantage of our flexitime hours, choosing when to work their hours between 8am 6pm each day.

Benefits package:

• Full time salary of £30,995.27, with opportunity for annual performance related pay increments

• 30 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays

• Flexitime hours and a flexible supportive approach to balancing work and life

• Enhanced Charity Sick Pay and family friendly leave (including 3 paid emergency dependants' leave days per year, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave)

• Access to a pension scheme with a matched employer contribution of up to 6%

• Employee Assistance Programme, giving free and confidential access to a variety of wellbeing support services.

Job Purpose

To manage and enhance HR processes, support governance and the Board of Trustees, and create a positive experience for our workforce aligned with our charities values, culture and aims.

Key responsibilities

• Core HR processes

• Work alongside the Head of People to develop and implement our approach to HR

• Provide administrative support to the Board of Trustees

• Core office management processes

Core People processes

• Maintain confidential personnel files for employees, casual workers, freelancers and volunteers.

• Oversee a quality recruitment process that aligns to organisational need, in line with the HENRY values.

• Onboard new employees, casual workers, freelancers and volunteers and support a quality induction.

• Oversee all processes linked to the employee lifecycle, including types of leave and processing leavers.

• Manage HR retention periods for records and maintain accurate records

• Be the first port of call for queries and support the Head of People in the breadth of issues and challenges that arise.

• Provide accurate and detailed information to our Finance team to support monthly payroll.

• Provide timely and accurate reports and insights

Work alongside the Head of People to develop and implement our approach to HR

• Maintain up to date information on current employment legislation, communicating changes through policy and internal communications.

• Work alongside the Head of People to continually evolve our People practices to provide the best experience for all and help achieve our charitable mission and strategy

• Optimising the use and impact of our digital HR system

Provide support to the Board of Trustees

• Arrange and coordinate Board meetings and Annual General Meetings.

• Work with the Chief Executive to prepare and circulate papers for Board meetings.

• Coordinate the recruitment, onboarding and ongoing development and training of Trustees.

• Liaise with Trustees, responding to requests for information.

• Support the implementation of Charitable Governance processes and legal compliance

Core office management processes

• Act as the primary contact for office visitors and mail

• Organize and maintain office filing systems, both electronic and paper-based

• Manage office, kitchen, and bathroom supply inventories, placing orders as needed to ensure stock availability

• Undertake routine health and safety responsibilities, including:

• Weekly, monthly, and quarterly internal fire and legionella checks

• Conducting H&S inductions with new staff

• Supporting external contractors during visits

• Maintain a tidy, welcoming, and safe office environment.

Attitudes, behaviour and values

• Build respectful relationships, understanding the impact of your behaviour on others and being willing to adapt it when necessary

• Work effectively as a member of the team by consulting and sharing information with colleagues, managing your time to meet deadlines and preparing for meetings

• Maintain clear and accurate records

• Communicate effectively with partners

• Comply with all organisational policies and procedures

• Model HENRY values

• Support own development through on-going reading, research and supervision

This role requires a basic DBS check

Person specification

Qualifications

Desirable: Relevant qualification (e.g. CIPD level 3 or 5) or higher education in a relevant subject

Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience working in a People/HR role
• Experience of conducting DBS/PVG checks and safer recruitment practices
• Experience with digital HR systems

Desirable:

• Designing and implementing HR systems and processes
• Previous involvement in health and safety checks and procedures
• Working with a charitable organisation supporting governance and the board of trustees
• Experience as a Company Secretary

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of core HR processes including recruitment
• Working knowledge of UK employment law
• Knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint,Teams, Sharepoint) and confidence in learning new systems

Desirable

• Knowledge of employee, casual worker, freelancer, volunteer and trustee relationships and legal differences
• Knowledge of UK GDPR and how to protect and manage data

Skills and attitudes

Essential

• Strong motivation to contribute to HENRY s work and commitment to organisational values
• Organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing tasks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Professional and approachable manner, with strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong organisational skills, able to work on own initiative and meet deadlines
• Ability to take the initiative, not only in identifying problems and opportunities, but also in suggesting and implementing solutions
• An eye for detail and a concern for accuracy, together with the ability to keep sight of the broad picture
• Willingness to undertake training