HR Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

HR advice

1. Provide confidential first level advice and support in line with HR policies, while ensuring full compliance with GDPR and data protection regulations.

2. To liaise with occupational health regarding sickness absence cases and utilise that information to advise and support managers as appropriate.

3. To support managers in the distribution of sensitive and confidential letters to a professional standard regarding all other employment matters.

Reporting and data

4. To develop and maintain accurate databases relating to HR metrics and activity. This includes analysing and reporting on data as required.

5. To fully utilise the business intelligence reporting functions to provide valuable management information.

6. To provide data for reporting purposes and to support proactive management of cases.

7. To provide response to requests for information (eg. FOI and subject access requests).

8. To be responsible for maintaining accurate systems and documentation in relation to all HR activity, as required in line with current databases and to support in the development of new data collection methods.

9. Support the HR advisory team to undertake audits on departmental procedures and activity standards and ensure compliance and integrity.

Administrative support

10. To provide administrative support for the HR team including meeting and room bookings and associated arrangements, letter and template production for managers and staff for a range of HR activities.

11. To provide support to the advisory team to organise, prepare for and administrate employee relations activities, including investigations and hearings.

12. Manage multiple HR administrative inboxes, responding to a wide range of email queries with professionalism, accuracy, and timely follow-up.

13. Take accurate minutes during a range of meetings, including employee relations cases, formal committees, and staff forums, ensuring clear and confidential documentation of key discussions and actions.

14. To support other teams with data input into HR systems and resourcing activity to provide cover during peaks or workload.

15. Review and identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, suggesting more efficient or effective ways of working within the HR function.

Project work

16. Support Organisational Development (OD) initiatives by providing administrative assistance, coordinating activities, and contributing to project delivery where required.

17. Support the delivery of HR projects as required, which may include activities such as data collection and drafting communications.

Other

18. Attend training relevant for the post.

19. Identify own training needs, in consultation with line manager, and attend relevant courses/study days to enhance personal development.

20. Participate in the induction of new staff to the HR team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a progressive HR team that values innovation, integrity, and collaboration. If youre ready to make a meaningful impact and grow your career in HR, wed love to hear from you.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience.
• 5 GCSEs Grade A-C (including: English, Mathematics) or equivalent qualification.

Desirable

• Achieve or working towards a CIPD qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a busy, pressurised, customer focussed office environment.
• Experience of developing and maintaining databases.
• Experience working in a Trade Union environment.
• Experience of providing HR generalist services.
• Experience of providing first level advice and responding to queries from staff at all levels.
• Capable of resolving routine issues independently and escalating more complex matters appropriately, while maintaining ownership and follow-through.
• Experience in preparing and distributing meeting agendas, ensuring relevant documentation is collated and shared in advance to support efficient meeting coordination.
• Experience in accurately taking and preparing minutes during meetings, ensuring clear documentation of discussions, decisions, and action points within an HR context.

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience.
• Working knowledge of the Electronic Staff Record system (ESR).

Skills

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive working relationships, communicate effectively across all levels, both written and verbal, and contribute to a collaborative HR environment.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage workload independently, and maintain productivity in a busy HR environment.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritise conflicting demands, ensuring that critical HR tasks are completed accurately and within required timeframes.
• High level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in HR records, documentation, and administrative processes
• Clear understanding of HR confidentiality requirements and strict adherence to GDPR and data protection legislation when handling sensitive employee information.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities effectively, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of HR administrative tasks in a dynamic work environment.
• Openness to using AI tools and technologies to enhance HR administrative efficiency, including identifying opportunities to automate routine tasks and improve data accuracy.

Desirable

• HR Metrics and Data Analysis.
• Right to Work and Visa process.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of NHS employment terms & conditions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and email systems, with the ability to use these tools effectively to manage HR documentation, communication, and administrative workflows in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of using, updating and interrogating databases e.g. HR systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ESR and other relevant NHS HR Systems.
• Knowledge of employment law.

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Other

Essential

• Commitment to partnership working.
• Commitment to continuing personal/professional development.
• Flexible and adaptable, being willing to travel to site when required, including at short notice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Operational HR - E00427

Manchester

M20 4BX

Employer's website

https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)