Job Title: People Assistant
Reports To: Senior People Business Partner
Salary/Hours: £26,000 DOE/37.5 hours per week
Job Location: Newcastle or Sheffield based
Travel Requirements: Reasonable travel to Group sites/offices as required
Closing Date: 12pm on Friday 16th January 2026 (we reserve the right to close the vacancy if we receive sufficient applications)
At Edwin, we’re building more than a business, we’re building a community. Our purpose-driven approach is at the heart of everything we do, and our People Team is central to ensuring that every colleague feels supported, empowered, and able to thrive.
In this varied and fast-paced role, you'll act as a key point of contact for People-related queries while supporting with the management and improvement of our systems and processes as.
The People Assistant will act as a trusted partner to key stakeholders in one or more of the Groups services and support the Director of People, Senior People Business Partner and Assistant People Business Partner in delivering the People Strategy.
Job Responsibilities / Key Accountabilities
HR Administration:
* Manage shared and personal inboxes, ensuring timely responses and follow-up actions
* Maintain trackers, chase documents, and manage manual document handling processes
* Oversee onboarding and clearance processes across Edwin
* Support with recruitment advertising across Edwin, including arrangement of interviews
* Support the exit/leaver processes across the group
* Manage the issue of employment contracts, variations to contracts and employment terms
* Manage general absence management reporting information
* Updating HR system as and when required
* Assisting with Payroll changes and reporting.
Employee Experience and Relations:
* Provide first-line advice and guidance, escalating to the Assistant People Business Partner where required.
* Support with managing the maternity, paternity, and family leave processes
* Support with the creation and development of wellbeing and engagement events
Project Work & Compliance:
* Assist with projects and initiatives across the group
* Ensure compliance with Health & Safety requirements (including DSE assessments)
* Manage mandatory and annual training coordination
Continuous Improvement
* Provide data to support with data analysis and reporting to support decision-making
* Assist with the design and implementation of personal development activities and initiatives
ESG
* Act as an Ambassador for the Group’s ESG strategy and with a demonstrated commitment to adopt, promote and comply with ESG policies, developments, and initiatives.
Person Specification
Qualifications:
* CIPD Level 3 or willing to work towards
Experience:
* Experience in an HR administrative role or similar people-facing position
* Strong organisational and administrative skills with a high attention to detail
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
* Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
* Proficient in using HR systems, Microsoft Office, and data reporting tools
* Familiarity with wellbeing or ESG initiatives (Desirable)
* Previous experience of working in and supporting the Education and/or recruitment sector (Desirable)
* Experience working in a multi-brand or group structure (Desirable)
Skills & Competencies:
* Employment Law: Awareness of employment law and HR best practices (desirable)
* Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
* Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, with a proactive approach to addressing challenges.
* Data Literacy: Proficient in collating and interpreting data to support the people function.
* Adaptability: Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities and ongoing changes.
* Team Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with different teams and departments.
Personal Attributes:
* Positive, proactive, can-do attitude.
* Strong commitment to ethical practices and confidentiality
* Passionate about contributing to the success of the education services sector
* Innovative and willing to challenge the status quo to improve people practices and processes.
* Resilient and able to work well under pressure, managing competing demands
* Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.