HR Assistant in Edinburgh

A people role that values your time as much as your skills. At Ark, all full-time corporate service roles are based on a 4-day, 32-hour working week with no loss of pay. This way of working is new for us, but a deliberate choice. We believe it supports better focus, healthier workloads and more sustainable performance for our people and the organisation.

We’re now looking for a People & Organisational Development Assistant to join our People & OD team and help keep our people processes, systems and data running smoothly. This is a hands-on, varied role for someone who enjoys accuracy, good systems and being someone others rely on to get things right.

You’ll provide essential administrative and systems support across People Services, recruitment, learning and organisational development. Your work will help ensure employee data is accurate, processes are compliant, and colleagues across Ark get the support they need. Day to day, you’ll be involved in things like:

• Acting as a first point of contact for People & OD queries and HR advice;
• Maintaining employee records and processing lifecycle changes (starters, leavers, contractual updates, absence and payroll-related changes);
• Supporting safer recruitment activity and onboarding checks, including Right to Work and Disclosure checks;
• Keeping learning and qualification records up to date;
• Repairing and checking people data, reports and dashboards;
• Maintaining People documentation, templates and guidance;
• Supporting improvements to systems, processes and ways of working, with a focus on accuracy, consistency and good governance.

You’ll work closely with the Talent & Engagement Partner, People Partner, L&D and payroll colleagues, contributing to a People service that’s reliable, compliant and genuinely people-focused.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Strong administrative skills and a high level of attention to detail;
• Experience in HR, Recruitment, L&D or a similar administrative environment;
• Confidence using systems, databases or learning platforms;
• A customer-focused approach and clear communication style;
• An understanding of confidentiality, data protection and compliance;
• A practical, organised approach to managing competing priorities.

Most importantly, you’ll care about doing things properly and be open to learning and improving how things work.

Alongside our 4-day working week, we also offer:

• Hybrid working and flexible start and finish times;
• A generous annual leave allowance, with additional leave awarded as your service grows;
• 4% contributory pension;
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support;
• Employee discounts, access to Blue Light Card and Cycle to Work scheme;
• Annual leave buy & sell options.

Ark is a values-driven housing and social care organisation. We aim to create inclusive communities where people can live with dignity, independence and a sense of belonging – and that starts with how we treat our colleagues.

CVs will not be accepted. Applications close at 5pm Thursday 19th February 2026. Interviews will be held the week commencing 23rd February 2026.