Description
At EQ Accountants, we believe that at the core of our success is our people. We are more than just a team of financial experts; we are partners in our clients’ journeys. For over 20 years, we have taken pride in championing SMEs, delivering bespoke accounting solutions that drive growth and success for our clients. Our journey from a single office to 11 thriving locations reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and we are now looking for a talented individual to join us and be part of our exciting growth story.
We are an employer who cares; where individuals are supported to reach their personal and professional goals. We’re committed to continuous learning, providing ongoing training and development opportunities to help you stay ahead of the curve. This includes investing in the latest technology, sharing best practice and creating a One EQ ethos that brings our values to life.
There has never been a more exciting time to join EQ!
Role overview
The People and Culture Manager role is fast-paced, exciting, and highly rewarding. As a key front-facing member of our dynamic and close-knit People Team, you'll thrive on variety—working across different offices and functions brings new challenges and opportunities every day.
Your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, including Partners and key Managers, and to communicate clearly and confidently will be essential as you deliver impactful people plans, projects, and initiatives that help drive the firm’s broader strategic objectives.
Your ‘go to’ person is the Head of People & Culture, who will coach, support, and challenge you not only to succeed in your role but to realise your potential and career aspirations at EQ.
Benefits
We are an employer who cares, where individuals are supported to reach their personal and professional goals. At EQ, you’ll find a supportive environment where your goals are our goals. We’re committed to continuous learning, providing ongoing training and development opportunities to help you stay ahead of the curve. This includes investing in the latest technology, sharing best practice and creating a One EQ ethos that brings our values to life.
Short-, Medium- and Long-Term Goals
1. Create a positive culture of collaborative working with each Partner and Manager where there is confidence in your expertise and a willingness to work together to deliver the firm’s People Plan.
2. Understand how the People Plan underpins EQ’s ability to deliver on its broader strategic objectives and contribute to this effectively.
3. Understand and implement agreed people processes and ways of working to ensure our employees have everything they need to succeed.
4. Help to create a great place to work where we recruit, develop, engage, and retain the best people.
Key Responsibilities
Every week, you’ll be connecting directly with our managers and colleagues in each of our locations, providing expert advice and implementing key initiatives and projects that will help us build and maintain the best teams and working environments. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own specific projects, and you’ll support the broader People Team with the implementation of our strategic plan and change management activities.
Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
Talent Acquisition
In bringing the best people into the firm, you'll
* Work in partnership with each of our functions and offices to advise on workforce planning and implement recruitment, and induction best practice.
* Work in partnership with the Learning and Development Coordinator to establish and maintain all the processes and resources required for graduates, interns, work placements, qualified and management recruitment, and onboarding.
* Create and implement recruitment plans and campaigns, making sure that all teams have the right recruitment resources and knowledge they need to bring the best employees into the firm.
* Own and oversee the onsite induction process for all new employees as well as organising and facilitating central induction events.
Learning and Development
In driving continuous learning and growth, you'll
* Work in partnership with the Learning and Development Manager, advise on and implement agreed learning and development opportunities that will continuously improve capability and skills.
* Support the delivery of the Learning and Development Strategy by owning the induction experience and the completion of all statutory and mandatory learning and training in line with regulations and compliance.
* Organise and support managers through the annual performance and development reviews and work with the People Coordinator and Administrator to oversee the collate results and insights that will inform our development and talent plans going forward.
Employee engagement
In helping create a great place to work, you'll
* Work with the Head of People & Culture and Marketing to shape, coordinate and help to embed our values, and implement our employee engagement and communications strategies including the People Intranet, Employee Voice, Engagement Surveys, Recognition Initiatives and Change Management processes.
Change management
In supporting people through change, you'll
* Work closely with the team to prepare for and support the implementation of all operational change proposals and consultation processes including acquisitions and helping to transition new teams into EQ.
Generalist support
We treat each employee as an individual and we are committed to providing everything our colleagues need to succeed. In supporting this you'll
* Act as the first point of contact and work in partnership with each of the functions and offices in relation to providing generalist HR advice and all other people activities.
* Maintain best practice operating procedures and help managers build their people leadership and management skills in relation to bringing out the best in the people who carry out work for them.
* Monitor and manage the HR inbox, our Applicant Tracking System and our HR Information System, directing the People Administrator to resolve and answer queries on a timely basis.
* Work with the People Administrator to sign off the necessary information required by our payroll function, resolving all pay queries as a matter of urgency.
HR Operational Excellence and Metrics Reporting
In order to demonstrate our accountability and gather data and analysis that informs our ongoing People Strategy, you'll
* Work with the People Administrator to monitor, update and maintain HR operational excellence and all employment policies and procedures. Brief the team on any legislative changes as they happen.
* Regularly monitor, report on, and make recommendations in relation to those HR and People metrics that will determine the value and effectiveness of our people plan in supporting the firm’s broader strategic objectives.
Our Ideal Candidate
You’ll know you’re succeeding if:
* We always have the right people in the right place at the right time, fully equipped and able to deliver in their roles.
* We have highly skilled and competent managers at all management levels who are capable and confident in their ability to support and lead the people who work for them.
* We are a great place to work, where people believe that they have a voice, and employees play an active role in helping resolve the firm’s key challenges.
* Our change processes are transparent, and we build confidence and engagement through our effective communication.
* Our practices and procedures match the needs and culture of the firm and are consistently up to date and fit for purpose.
What you’ll need to be successful:
* This is a mid to senior level role; therefore, ideally, you’ll have a qualification specific to Human Resources Management; however, it’s important that you can demonstrate a successful track record in leading and achieving on People and Culture activities that match the requirements of the role.
* Strategic thinking with the ability to anticipate and proactively mitigate issues before they become problems.
* Positivity and confidence in your abilities, but you’re also a kind, empathetic person with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
* You’ll be supporting cross functional teams, leading on the People Plan; therefore, the ability to build positive working relationships with all team members in a conscientious and inclusive way that enables people to arrive at solutions that achieve their work and career goals.
* Computer literate with knowledge and experience of practice management systems and HR software systems as well as the usual MS Office applications.
* Good attention to detail and the ability to effectively analyse and report on outcomes and issues.
* You understand how to organise and maintain work planning systems that keeps you on track to deliver the expected outcomes of several projects at once.
* You’ll have sound knowledge of employment law and maintain up to date knowledge of legislative change; making sure that you share this knowledge with your colleagues.
* The expectation is that you’ll work across all of our offices in the East of Scotland, therefore, your ability to travel independently is a must.
Why work for EQ?
We are an employer who cares; where individuals are supported to reach their personal and professional goals. At EQ, you’ll find a supportive environment where your goals are our goals. We’re committed to continuous learning, providing ongoing training and development opportunities to help you stay ahead of the curve. This includes investing in the latest technology, sharing best practice and creating a One EQ ethos that brings our values to life.
With our recent growth, we have been able to deliver Phase Two of our benefits enhancement plan…and we are not stopping there!
When you join EQ you can expect:
* Competitive salary
* 33 days annual leave, with additional leave entitlements after three and five years' service
* Pension (up to 5% employee contribution, matched by EQ)
* Life insurance (4 x annual salary)
* 14 hours paid volunteering time
* Enhanced maternity pay
* Enhanced paternity/partner leave and pay
* Hybrid (one day working from home, following probation)
* Private medical cover (subject to conditions)
* Income protection
* EE Perks: 20% off your monthly plan. Plus, 5 additional passes for friends and family.
* Continuous training and support
* Excellent work culture with social events throughout the year
If you’re passionate about people, driven by purpose, and excited to grow with a forward-thinking accountancy firm who are With You every step of the way, we’d love to hear from you.