People Operations Consultant (3 Month FTC)
Immediate Start | Hybrid | Edinburgh
Syme Drummond is delighted to be supporting a well-established third sector organisation in Edinburgh to appoint a People Operations Consultant on a 3-month fixed term contract.
This is a hands‑on, operational HR role within a busy People & Culture team, with a strong focus on employee relations, coaching managers and supporting through a period of high activity.
We are looking for someone who can step in, build credibility quickly and operate with confidence from day one.
This role requires immediate availability.
The opportunity
This role will suit someone with strong generalist HR experience, particularly within employee relations, who is comfortable operating at pace and supporting managers through real‑time people challenges.
You’ll work closely with managers across the organisation, providing practical advice and guidance while also focusing on building their capability and confidence to manage people matters effectively.
Responsibilities
* Managing employee relations casework including absence, performance and conduct
* Coaching and upskilling managers to handle people matters confidently and independently
* Providing practical guidance on employment law, policies and best practice
* Supporting the development and delivery of manager training, particularly across key areas such as absence and performance management
* Contributing to project work and process improvements across the People function
* Working collaboratively across the wider People team and supporting organisational initiatives
This is a role where confidence, sound judgement and a pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach are essential.
The person
* Strong experience managing employee relations casework independently
* A solid and practical understanding of UK employment law
* Experience coaching and developing managers, not just advising
* Confidence delivering or supporting training for managers would be highly beneficial
* Ability to pick things up quickly and operate with minimal supervision
* Comfortable working at pace and managing competing priorities
* Experience contributing to project work or process improvement
* Exposure to working with volunteers would be advantageous, though not essential
* A proactive, hands‑on approach with a willingness to roll sleeves up and get stuck in
* Immediately available or available at short notice
If you’re someone who enjoys coaching managers, building capability and getting stuck into meaningful HR work, this could be a great fit.
If you’re ready to hit the ground running and make a difference, we’d love to speak with you. Drop me a message for a confidential chat – lynne.friel@symedrummond.co.uk
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