Job Title:
HR Advisor & Payroll Specialist
Location: Home based with visits to Bournemouth,
Poole & Hove
Reports to: Group Operations Manager
(Emily Davies)
Employment Type: Part Time/ full time
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience
About Rockwater
Rockwater is an iconic beachfront hospitality destination in Bournemouth, Poole
& Hove — a place where great food, community spirit, coastal lifestyle and
memorable experiences come together. We are known for our welcoming
environment, creativity, and the Rockwater way of life — embracing people,
place and great experiences.
Role Overview
As Rockwater’s HR Advisor & Payroll Specialist, you will be the lead HR
professional supporting our people across all venues and functions. Maintain a
productive and welcoming work environment, and contributing to a positive
associate experience.
This hands-on role combines general HR advisory duties with ownership of
the payroll function — ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely delivery.
You’ll provide day-to-day HR support to employees (reporting to our
Group Operations Manager) and work collaboratively with our wider team,
including external HR consultants where needed.
The ideal candidate will be
highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
* Run
end-to-end payroll processing using Fourth (or similar systems), ensuring
accuracy in pay runs, overtime, holiday pay, leave records, statutory
payments and compliance with UK payroll law.
* Respond
to payroll queries professionally and efficiently from employees and
management.
* Act as
the first point of contact for HR advice, guiding leaders and employees on
HR policies, employee relations, performance management, and contractual
matters.
* Coordinate with other departments to ensure
accurate contact information for all employees
* Support
recruitment and onboarding processes, scheduling interviews, preparing
documentation and supporting induction activities, to deliver great
candidate and new starter experiences. (Harri or similar systems)
* Maintain
accurate HR records, contracts, and compliance documentation.
* Coordinate
with external HR partners
* Support
employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives aligned with Rockwater’s
culture.
Person Specification
Required Qualifications & Experience
* CIPD
Level 3 or equivalent qualification.
* Minimum
3 years’ HR experience, ideally in a fast-paced environment.
* Proven
experience with payroll processing, ideally with Fourth or equivalent
payroll/HRIS systems.
* Good
understanding of UK employment law and payroll compliance.
* Strong
organisational, communications and problem-solving skills.
Desirable
* Experience
in hospitality or mixed-shift workforce HR.
* Experience
supporting multi-site operations.
What You’ll Bring
* An
approachable, practical and solutions-focused HR mindset.
* Excellent
customer service and the ability to communicate clearly with staff at all
levels.
* Strong
attention to detail, particularly in payroll accuracy and reporting.
What Rockwater Offers
* A
supportive team environment where creativity and passion for great
experiences matters.
* Opportunity
to shape HR and payroll functions in a growing hospitality brand.
* Competitive
salary and benefits package.