At a Glance
- Tasks: Support teams with HR queries, recruitment, and employee relations in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join the friendly Apricot team at our London head office.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £30,000, plus opportunities for growth and development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values creativity and initiative.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, owner-led business where your ideas matter.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR or people management, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
LOCATION: Head Office, Moorgate, London
CONTRACT: Permanent, Full-Time
HOURS: 35 hours per week over 5 days
SHIFT PATTERN: Working Monday - Friday
PAY RATE: Starting at £30,000 per annum
ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE: We have an amazing opportunity to join our Apricot team! We’re looking for a friendly, practical and confident HR Advisor to join our close-knit HR team. This is a varied, hands‑on role supporting our warehouse, retail, field and head office teams with day‑to‑day people queries, employee relations, HR administration, recruitment, payroll processes and people projects. You’ll be a trusted first point of contact for managers and team members, giving clear, pragmatic advice while helping us keep our HR systems, processes and documentation running smoothly. If you enjoy variety, like building strong relationships and want to make a real impact in an owner‑led business where ideas are welcomed, we’d love to hear from you.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- HR Administration and Systems: Respond to HR queries from our retail, warehouse, field and head office colleagues, escalating where extra support is needed. Prepare and manage key employee documents, including contracts, contract changes, flexible working outcomes, disciplinary paperwork, references, maternity paperwork and other employee lifecycle documents. Keep our HR and payroll system accurate, secure and up to date, including recruitment requests, new starters, pay updates, contract changes and leavers. Support managers with people‑related admin and help create a smooth onboarding and offboarding experience. Help make better use of our HR technology, spotting opportunities to automate processes and reduce unnecessary admin.
- Employee Relations and Manager Support: Act as a trusted first point of contact for managers and team members on employee relations matters. Coach managers through formal processes such as investigations, disciplinaries, grievances and flexible working requests. Support managers with performance conversations during and after probation. Stay close to teams through an open‑door approach, helping spot and resolve issues early. Keep up to date with UK employment legislation and help ensure policies and ways of working remain current.
- Recruitment, Reporting and Projects: Support recruitment by posting roles through our ATS and Indeed, liaising with agencies and working closely with hiring managers. Join interviews where helpful and think creatively about alternative ways to find great candidates. Help turn people data into useful insight, including sickness, recruitment and turnover trends. Pull together feedback from exit interviews, pulse surveys and employee surveys, turning it into clear actions. Support the Head of HR with projects, policy updates, presentations and improvements to how we work.
What We Desire From Our Team:
- Good HR or people management experience, ideally within retail or a similarly fast‑paced environment.
- A practical, balanced approach — able to combine best practice with what’s realistic for the business.
- Confidence supporting employee relations processes and advising managers clearly and fairly.
- Strong influencing and relationship‑building skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
- Excellent organisation, attention to detail and written and verbal communication skills.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office, especially Outlook, Word and Excel, and comfort working with numbers and data.
- CIPD qualification would be great, but hands‑on experience matters just as much.
How We Imagine You:
- Approachable, positive and calm under pressure.
- Resourceful, curious and happy to take the initiative.
- You get things done in a timely and reliable way, even when priorities change.
- You’re commercially minded and always looking for better ways of working.
- Being accountable and being solutions‑focused and comfortable working as part of a hands‑on team.
- You’re passionate about the brand and fashion, and happy to be a true brand ambassador.
If you need any adjustments made during the recruitment and interview process do let us know. Good Luck!
HR Advisor 35hrs p/w Head Office, London employer: Apricotonline
At Apricot, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London. Our HR Advisor role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a supportive team, where your ideas are valued and employee growth is encouraged through hands-on experience and professional development. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we ensure our employees thrive in a dynamic environment that champions work-life balance and fosters strong relationships across all levels of the business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor 35hrs p/w Head Office, London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Apricotonline!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Apricotonline.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor 35hrs p/w Head Office, London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Apricotonline. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Apricotonline and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Apricotonline. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Apricotonline's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Apricotonline
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Apricotonline.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Apricotonline will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Apricotonline and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
