Overview
As we prepare for the transformative changes introduced by the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, we're looking for an HR Policy Specialist to lead in shaping our people policies, ensuring our HR practices are future-ready. You'll be responsible for reviewing, redesigning, and implementing HR policies and guidance materials reflective of legislative developments and best practices. As a subject matter expert, you'll proactively monitor employment law changes and translate them into clear, accessible updates. This will involve collaborating closely with stakeholders (including HR colleagues, employment lawyers, senior leadership, policy owners, staff networks, and staff representatives) to support organisational change and ensure our policies are inclusive, legally compliant, and strategically aligned with our mission, values, and workforce needs.
Responsibilities
* Leading the review and redesign of Cancer Research UK's HR policies and all associated guidance materials in conjunction with the legislative changes arising from the Employment Rights Bill.
* Monitoring legislative changes and translating them into policy updates and communications.
* Drafting, reviewing, and updating HR policies, procedures, and guidance documents in line with UK employment legislation, best practice, and organisational values.
* Maintaining a central repository of HR policies, ensuring version control and accessibility.
* Leading research and benchmarking activities against other organisations to ensure HR policies are robust, fit for purpose, and reflect best practice.
* Leading the policy consultation processes in collaboration with policy owners and internal stakeholders (such as HR Business Partners, staff networks, and staff representatives).
* Applying knowledge and passion for equality, diversity, and inclusion, to ensure our policies reflect our strategic direction and people.
* Proactively mitigating risks and resolving issues as they arise.
* Acting as a subject matter expert on HR policy, employment law, and best practice.
* If you're an HR Policy expert with strong knowledge of current and upcoming UK employment law and hands-on experience developing, writing, and implementing HR policies within a large organisation, we'd love for you to join our mission.
* Experienced HR Policy Specialist with significant experience developing, designing, writing, and implementing HR policies within a large, complex organisation (c. 4,000 employees).
* Please note: candidates with an HR Generalist background with experience working on HR policies on an ad hoc basis will not be considered for this role, as this position requires an HR policy specialist skill set and expertise.
* Expert knowledge of UK employment law with a strong understanding of the upcoming legislative changes relating to the Employment Rights Bill.
* Proven experience in researching HR policies and best practices using external resources and professional networks, with a practical understanding of how these shape HR processes and operational practice.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a proven ability to translate UK employment law into simple, accessible, and engaging language for a diverse range of people.
* Has built credible, collaborative, and engaging internal and external stakeholder relationships and senior leaders with excellent interpersonal, facilitation, influencing, and negotiation skills.
* Demonstrated ability to prioritise and organise effectively, with a track record of working independently, managing multiple projects from initiation to completion, and delivering high-quality outcomes at pace while meeting deadlines.
* A solutions-focused professional skilled in problem-solving, driving continuous improvements, fostering collaboration, challenging conventional thinking, and championing best practices.
* Resilient and flexible, with experience driving change and the ability to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty, while supporting and guiding others through periods of transition.
* Strategic thinker with the ability to align employment legislation and HR best practices with Cancer Research UK's strategic objectives and values, demonstrating sound judgement and pragmatism in risk-based decision making.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do. Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination; Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism; Human: Act to have a positive impact on people; Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively. We’re looking for people who can embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
About Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. The HR department plays an essential role in engaging and inspiring Cancer Research UK's people by delivering operational transformation, robust governance, and a high-quality employee experience. This enables us to be an inclusive, sustainable, and agile organisation across approximately 640 stores, 4 distribution hubs, 4 scientific research institutes (laboratories), and over 2,500 head office staff across the UK.
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