Main purpose of role:
To lead and support the delivery of effective People and Culture operations across the business, ensuring compliance, consistency, and alignment with PenCarrie’s values and strategic goals. This role provides expert guidance to managers, drives people initiatives, and fosters a proactive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.
Main responsibilities:
1. Oversee daily HR operations and casework, delegating tasks, advising team members, and escalating issues appropriately. Provide proactive support to managers and identify trends to prevent future challenges.
2. Maintain and oversee HR systems and processes, ensuring team-wide compliance and effective communication with internal stakeholders.
3. Coach and support line managers in understanding HR procedures and developing people management capabilities.
4. Promote and evolve company values in line with business needs, workforce trends, and long-term objectives.
5. Ensure consistent application of PenCarrie policies, procedures, and the Employee Handbook, providing regular updates and communications.
6. Contribute to the development and delivery of a Learning & Development strategy that fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
7. Support formal and informal HR processes, including documentation, investigations, and legal compliance across areas such as absence, maternity, and flexible working.
8. Lead employee relations processes including investigations, disciplinary and grievance hearings, ensuring legal compliance and appropriate resolution.
9. Manage recruitment campaigns, including advertising, application tracking, interview coordination, and supporting managers with shortlisting and selection.
10. Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, including inductions, stay interviews, exit interviews, and feedback to managers.
11. Lead absence management processes, including return-to-work interviews and support for long-term or frequent absence cases in collaboration with H&S and Occupational Health.
12. Champion wellbeing initiatives, including promoting the Employee Assistance Programme and supporting Mental Health First Aiders.
13. Produce and analyse HR reports using Excel and other systems to support decision-making and provide insights to senior leaders.
14. Support performance management processes such as appraisals and probation reviews.
15. Assist in updating and implementing HR policies and procedures to ensure relevance and compliance.
16. Partner with managers and the People & Culture Manager to align people strategies with business priorities and enable high-performing teams.
17. Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, including conflict resolution and coaching for managers and stakeholders.
18. Support the development and governance of inclusive, compliant HR policies and processes.
19. Ensure robust HR governance through effective controls, audits, and risk management practices.
20. Analyse workforce data and people metrics to inform strategic decisions and improve employee experience.
21. Support workforce and succession planning, and capability development across departments.
22. Promote a values-led, inclusive culture that encourages accountability, feedback, and continuous improvement.
23. Ensure compliance with employment legislation and internal policies, staying informed of legal and regulatory changes.
24. Maintain confidentiality and adhere to GDPR and data protection standards.
25. Commit to ongoing professional development and staying current with HR best practices and legal updates.
26. Undertake additional responsibilities aligned with skills and business needs as reasonably required.
Person specification
Knowledge, skills and experience required:
Essential
* Strong track record managing employee relations (including complex) cases in a legally sound and employee-centred way.
* At least 3 years as an HR advisor
* Knowledge of employment law, HR compliance requirements, and best practices in HR operations and governance.
* Excellent relationship-building, communication, and coaching skills, with the ability to influence people at all levels.
* Data-driven mindset with experience using HR systems and analytics tools to inform strategy and decisions.
* Passion for fairness, transparency, and embedding good governance in people practices.
* Experience in being able to create, review and deliver updates across the team and open to new ways of working.
Desirable
* Experience in a senior advisor position or relevant demonstratable delivery