People Coordinator (Maternity Cover) in Edinburgh

CALA Management Ltd are looking to recruit a People Coordinator for a 1‐year fixed‐term maternity cover, working on a hybrid basis and primarily based near Edinburgh Park (with some flexibility, in line with our regional and head office locations). Reporting to the People Operations Manager, you will provide high‐quality operational support to our regional teams and Group functions across the full employee lifecycle. This is a varied, hands‐on role where accuracy, customer service and confidence using HR systems are key.

A large part of the role involves acting as a first point of contact for employees and managers, responding to People Helpdesk queries within agreed service levels and providing clear, practical guidance on policies, processes and systems. You will regularly support managers with navigating Workday HRIS and the Eploy recruitment system, ensuring requests are submitted correctly and efficiently in line with Cala processes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and responding to People Helpdesk tickets, resolving queries where possible and escalating more complex issues appropriately
• Recruitment administration using Eploy and Workday, including job changes, onboarding and system updates
• Supporting parental leave processes, including meetings, correspondence and system administration
• Opportunities to take notes at employee relations meetings
• Monitoring sick pay and other entitlements and ensuring records are accurately maintained
• Processing employee job changes and leavers in Workday with a high level of attention to detail
• Updating policies and supporting process documentation to ensure information remains accurate and accessible
• Contributing to team projects focused on improving systems, processes and the overall user experience for managers and employees

This role suits someone who enjoys being at the centre of operations, takes pride in getting things right first time, and values delivering a positive, professional service.

About You

You will be someone who enjoys problem‐solving and getting into the detail, particularly when working with HR systems where accuracy really matters. You understand that small errors can have wider impacts, and you take a thoughtful, end‐to‐end approach rather than focusing only on the task in front of you.

You’ll bring:

• Previous experience in a People/HR administration or coordination role, with strong exposure to HR systems
• Confidence supporting managers and employees with system queries and "how‐to" guidance, particularly where systems are structured and process‐driven
• Experience using an HRIS (Workday experience is highly desirable) and a recruitment system such as Eploy
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‐paced, autonomous role
• A customer‐focused mindset, with the ability to communicate clearly, professionally and empathetically
• Sound knowledge of People processes and an awareness of employment legislation, with the ability to translate this into clear, concise written responses

While you’ll be comfortable working with data and Excel for reporting and tracking purposes, this role is less about complex formulas and more about accuracy, consistency and understanding how data flows through systems like Workday. A keen eye for detail is essential, whether you’re updating records, answering a manager’s query, or producing correspondence.

‘That’s the way we’ve always done it’ is not in our vocabulary, so a passion for making things better is also a requirement. We work flexibly with give and take on both sides, so you’ll need to be organised in this autonomous role to juggle your priorities. Our ideal candidate will be a professional team player who is passionate about both people and the customer experience. Culture is important to us and you’ll be joining a close knit and supportive team which is part of a people focused business.

We recognise that a diverse team makes us a stronger and more successful company. We value different ideas and perspectives as it helps improve our decision‐making, products and services. And we’re striving to create an inclusive work environment, in which everyone can feel comfortable as themselves, uniquely contribute and do their best work.

If we need to adjust anything in our recruitment process to support you, please contact careers@cala.co.uk

About Us

The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder and leading provider of desirable new homes across Scotland, the South of England & Midlands. Driven by a mission to create vibrant and sustainable new communities, our homes are characterised by exceptional design and sector‐leading build quality, and we have a passion for providing our customers with a great home buying experience. This is an exciting time to be at Cala. Our approach to sustainability and technology is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and we’re aiming to create an industry‐leading experience for both our staff and customers. At Cala, you can expect to be part of an environment which allows you to do meaningful work, while offering opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to be the favoured employer in our industry and beyond. We encourage applications from those who want to be part of a culture where they can thrive, feel a sense of belonging and be comfortable being themselves at work.