At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR processes and advise stakeholders on performance and absence management.
- Company: Join CAF Rail UK, a global leader in rail innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, competitive salary, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Be part of a socially responsible company with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience in HR.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 € per year.
Company: CAF Rail UK
Location: BIRMINGHAM, GB
ABOUT CAF
Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast‑paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community. Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers.
What can you expect from CAF?
- Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
- Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
- Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
- Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
- Cutting-edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.
What will be your role in the company?
The HR Advisor supports the HR Business Partner / Senior HRBP in supporting and advising a range of stakeholders and managers across different areas of the UK business. A first point of contact for stakeholders in relation to HR issues, questions and queries you will provide sound advice in line with policies, processes and collective agreements. The role requires someone to be proactive, pragmatic and a multi-tasker who is adept at delivering in a unionised environment.
Your daily duties will include:
- A primary point of contact for advising stakeholders with regards to HR processes such as performance management, absence management and people management (flexible working, family friendly etc).
- Supporting line managers (of varying abilities) across the business through a range of ER disputes through coaching, training, upskilling as well as guiding them through the challenges.
- Involvement in developing, implementing and maintaining HR policies and procedures to ensure effective, fair and consistent management of colleagues throughout CAF.
- Successful deployment will involve working with trade union representatives and managers to ensure understanding and consistency of deployment.
- Supporting HR & Support services colleagues to manage processes such as recruitment, internal communication / engagement and payroll to a high standard.
- Involvement in maintaining relevant systems as well as producing insightful HR reports, sharing the information with stakeholders as required and making decisions to drive improvement.
- Facilitating local-level trade union meetings and supporting the HR team in ‘business council’ meetings, consultations and negotiations.
- Support HR colleagues in deploying various CAF Group initiatives and processes such as engagement activities, deployment of various SAF Success Factor modules, etc.
What will be your salary in this role?
As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a salary between £40,000 and £45,000 per annum.
What will make you successful in this position?
To succeed in this role you will need:
- CIPD Qualified to Level 5 is required (or qualified by similar professional experience).
- Proven previous experience in advising stakeholders with regards to HR processes such as performance management, absence management and people management.
- Experience in supporting line managers through a range of ER disputes through coaching, training, upskilling as well as guiding them through the challenges.
- Up to date Employment law knowledge and the ability to translate this into policies / processes as well as coaching/training line managers on its practical implementation.
- Previous experience of working within a Trade Unions environment is essential.
- An understanding of a services business, where customer demands/requirements must be balanced and met.
- IT skills; Adept at working with multiple systems, strong use of MS Office products such as PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.
- Any experience of SAP Success factors would be desirable.
ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER
A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF. Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme, generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme.
Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF.
As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree-planting, company-wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees.
HR Advisor in Birmingham employer: CAF Power & Automation
At CAF Rail UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a positive work environment that fosters mutual respect and team spirit. Our commitment to professional development, coupled with the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology, ensures that our employees can thrive and grow in their careers. With a focus on inclusivity, generous benefits, and a culture of social responsibility, we are dedicated to creating a meaningful and rewarding workplace for all our team members in Birmingham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at CAF Rail UK on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching CAF's values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their innovative journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios that might come up during the interview. Think about how you’d handle performance management or absence issues, and be ready to share your strategies and experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience in advising stakeholders and managing HR processes. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at CAF!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about HR and how you can contribute to our positive work environment. Let us know what excites you about joining CAF!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your CIPD qualifications and any experience with trade unions. We’re looking for someone who can navigate a unionised environment, so make sure we see that in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on being part of our exciting journey at CAF!
How to prepare for a job interview at CAF Power & Automation
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HR processes, especially performance and absence management. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully advised stakeholders in the past, as this will show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've supported line managers through various challenges. Highlight your experience in coaching and training, especially with those who may be less experienced. This will demonstrate your ability to adapt your approach to different skill levels.
✨Understand Employment Law
Familiarise yourself with current employment laws and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles. Being able to translate legal jargon into practical advice for managers will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Collaboration with Trade Unions
Since working with trade unions is essential for this role, think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with union representatives. This will show that you can navigate complex relationships and ensure smooth communication between all parties.
