At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee HR operations, manage complex employee relations, and support a performance-led culture.
- Company: Join a supportive HR team focused on employee experience and engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, health benefits, and discounted gym membership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations and a CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a collaborative team atmosphere.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re recruiting a Senior HR Officer for a newly created role with real scope, responsibility, and influence. This is a hands-on position, overseeing a busy HR operations function supporting around 500 employees across a main site and multiple sites. You’ll take ownership of complex employee relations casework, while helping to shape a more performance-led culture. If you enjoy being close to the detail, juggling multiple priorities, and supporting managers through challenging people issues, this role offers both pace and purpose. As the Senior HR Officer, managing day-to-day people matters while ensuring consistency, compliance, and best practice across the business.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting a People Operations team, including HR officers and administrators
- Managing high-complexity ER cases such as disciplinary, conduct, capability, absence, and occupational health
- Advising and coaching managers with confidence, balancing empathy with clear, robust decision-making
- Managing multiple live processes simultaneously in a fast-moving environment
- Supporting a shift towards a performance-based culture, navigating resistance and change sensitively
- Producing and analysing people data and reports, including quarterly and category-level insights
- Contributing to continuous improvement of HR processes, policies, and ways of working
- Working closely with HR leadership and L&D colleagues to ensure joined-up people support
This role is primarily operational and reactive, with opportunities to contribute to longer-term improvements during quieter periods.
Team & Structure:
- Reports into the People Site Lead
- Team consists of:
- 2 x Senior HR Officers
- 2 x HR Officers
- 2 x HR Administrators
This role will suit an experienced, resilient HR professional who is comfortable operating at pace and making sound judgments independently.
You’ll bring:
- Strong, hands-on experience in employee relations, including complex case management
- Previous experience leading or mentoring HR team members
- A commercial, pragmatic approach to HR within a structured framework
- CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification (or equivalent experience)
- Confidence working in environments with slower decision-making and multiple stakeholders
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities calmly
What’s on Offer:
- Hybrid working
- Flexible working arrangements
- Generous annual leave allowance (increasing with service)
- Pension scheme
- Health and wellbeing benefits
- Paid volunteering leave
- Free parking (subject to availability)
- Discounted gym membership
You’ll be joining a supportive, professional HR team with a strong focus on employee experience, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Senior HR Officer employer: Ambitions Personnel
Contact Detail:
Ambitions Personnel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for a Senior HR Officer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your employee relations knowledge. Be ready to discuss complex case management scenarios and how you've handled them in the past. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but that you can hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings. We often post roles there first, so it’s a great way to stay ahead of the game. Plus, applying directly through us can give you a better chance of standing out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Senior HR Officer role. Highlight your hands-on experience in employee relations and any complex case management you've handled. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for HR and how you can contribute to shaping a performance-led culture. Don’t forget to mention your experience in advising and coaching managers!
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: In this fast-paced role, being organised is key. Share examples of how you've managed multiple priorities in previous positions. We love seeing candidates who can juggle tasks while maintaining calm and clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ambitions Personnel
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employee relations and complex case management. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your hands-on approach and how you've successfully navigated challenging situations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring HR team members, think about times when you've led a team or supported colleagues. Prepare to share how you’ve balanced empathy with robust decision-making, as this will show your ability to guide others effectively.
✨Be Data Savvy
The job requires producing and analysing people data, so be prepared to talk about your experience with data analysis. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive improvements in HR processes or to support decision-making in previous roles.
✨Embrace Change
This position is all about supporting a shift towards a performance-based culture. Think about how you've managed change in the past and be ready to discuss strategies you've used to navigate resistance while keeping teams engaged and motivated.