Senior People & Culture Advisor (maternity cover contract)
Application Deadline: 26 May 2026
Department: People & Culture
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: London, UK
Reporting To: People & Culture Manager
Compensation:£50,000 - £55,000 / year
Description
We are currently looking for a Senior People & Culture Adviser to join the team for up to 15 months to cover a period of maternity leave. The successful applicant will be working alongside a great, supportive team and will report directly into the People & Culture Manager. The role plays a key part in delivering the People and Culture agenda, bringing people policies and activities to life while providing supportive, practical HR generalist guidance to employees and line managers adhering to company policies and procedures. With a strong focus on absence management and wellbeing, the role also supports the smooth day‑to‑day management of people systems, payroll administration, and employee benefits, helping to create a positive and well‑supported employee experience.
Key Responsibilities
* Providing expert guidance, coaching and feedback on people related matters in line with company policies, best practice, current employment law and our company values.
* Proactively supporting people managers with coaching, and feedback for their team and wider People & Culture initiatives.
* Supporting or leading employee relations matters (performance management, conduct, capability, absence etc) by providing expert guidance on employment matters or case management.
* Leading the flexible working request process, applying company policy and continuously improving procedures to balance employee flexibility with business requirements.
* Leading wellbeing initiatives to promote employee wellbeing and minimise absence levels.
* Conducting employee exit interviews and analysing the data to identify trends, highlighting concerns, and making recommendations for organisational improvements.
* Managing the company’s third‑party benefits partners.
* Supporting or leading people projects or initiatives as allocated to support in delivery the People Strategy and Business Strategy, and contributing to key HR Projects as required.
* Supporting the recruitment process, providing cover when required.
* Providing support to deliver the employee onboarding process, providing cover when required.
* Supporting the accurate completion of the monthly and yearly payroll activities including pension and benefits, liaising with third‑party suppliers, as required, and ensuring internal approval processes are completed in addition to supporting annual remuneration and bonus activities.
* Ensuring that all people data is always secure, current and accurate. Producing data reports as required.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Ideally, CIPD qualification to level 5, or equivalent qualifications
* A business degree would be desirable
* Proven experience as a HR Generalist with knowledge and practical application of employment law.
* Experience of using HR Information systems including system management, data management, reporting; using data, metrics to evidence and inform decision making essential.
* Payroll management experience, including benefits and pensions administration
* Previous experience of undertaking strategic talent resourcing activities, creating effective toolkits and solutions including designing and running assessment centres.
* Experience of creating positive employer brand and people experience solutions.
* A can do solutions focused approach, being resourceful, working to make things happen whilst taking others along with them.
* A creative and analytical thinking style, applying tenacity in the face of obstacles
* Proven excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to persuade influence and, when appropriate, challenge with tact and diplomacy.
* A relentless drive to improve performance and deliver outstanding results through more effective ways of working.
* Excellent communication style and approach with engaging written skills,
* The ability to build strong relationships with the team and Cifas employees at all levels.
* An understanding of the impact within the team and with colleagues within the business.
* High level of personal integrity, displaying respect and empathy for others whilst being consistent, open and honest.
* The ability to work professionally to deadlines and work collaboratively in a team environment.
* Excellent skills in Microsoft applications, including Excel, Outlook and Teams.
Benefits
* Remote working with approximately 2 days a month in the London office, although there will be a requirement to attend conventions, forums and events
* Generous annual leave, plus bank holidays
* Private healthcare
* Excellent pension package through salary sacrifice
* Personal and professional growth
* Employee wellbeing – Wellbeing breaks, wellbeing hub access including exercise programmes, meditation guides, sleep stories and yoga.
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