HR Officer in London

Purpose of the Role
To provide a high‑quality, cost‑effective HR service within Colas Rail, ensuring the effective operation of internal administration and recruitment processes, and providing first‑line support for HR related queries across the business.

Key Areas of Responsibility & Accountability

• HR Administration
  • Deliver all internal HR administration processes including contract preparation, contractual changes, BPSS checks, new starters, probation periods, transfers, MFA triggers, terminations, inductions, and HR data management.
  • Provide first‑line assistance with HR queries from employees via dedicated phone line and inbox, advising on employee benefits and pay queries.
  • Prepare and analyse HR data for monthly board reporting, absence management, and salary survey completion.
  • Produce and issue contracts of employment and offer letters, ensuring eligibility documentation is provided and copies retained.
  • Administer and update the HR systems and maintain employee records.
  • Support the attendance management procedure by proactively managing sickness, chasing certificates, identifying trends, retaining return‑to‑work interview paperwork, monitoring long‑term sickness, and referring to Occupational Health where required.
  • Assist with the development and maintenance of HR policies and procedures, including HR intranet maintenance.
  • Participate in HR projects such as TUPE processes, employee engagement, policy & procedure reviews, and organisational design changes.
  • Provide administrative support for the wider HR team as requested and manage the probation review process.
  • Process leavers and ensure the HR system is updated and relevant documentation is sent to the employee.
• Recruitment
  • Assist the recruitment team and arrange face‑to‑face and Teams interviews.
  • Process the recruitment administration for new starters such as Colas Rail contract offer forms.
  • Manage communication regarding the recruitment process in a timely and effective manner.
  • Advertise approved vacancies on the Colas Rail website.
  • Track and update candidate status on HRIS.
  • Undertake pre‑screening questionnaires with candidates where required.
  • Adapt to organisational changes and meet operational requirements.
  • Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.
• Employee Relations
  • Provide HR advice and guidance on all HR queries, including sickness absence, disciplinary, grievance, maternity and paternity, recruitment, flexible working, and payroll administration.
  • Support the Head of HR/HR Manager with all aspects of employee relations, including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence (including occupational health referrals), performance, attendance management, and flexible working requests.
  • Provide administrative support to line managers in HR processes, including note taking at formal investigations or meetings.
• HR Systems
  • Serve as a centre of HRIS expertise and support for the company’s staff across the UK.
  • Create and provide reports to the wider HR team, such as headcount reports and ad‑hoc reports.
  • Facilitate training sessions for colleagues at various levels to promote optimal use of the system.
  • Research and resolve system access issues or errors, escalating to the global systems team as necessary.
  • Assist with HRIS projects/initiatives as needed.
  • Adapt to organisational changes and meet operational requirements.
  • Any other reasonable duties as required from time to time.

Person Specification
The jobholder will have demonstrable experience as an HR Assistant or Coordinator, accustomed to operating in a fast‑paced environment. Strong customer service, Microsoft Word/Excel skills, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly are required, with a willingness to travel occasionally to sites across the UK.

Qualifications / Experience

• Relevant HR qualification or demonstrable experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Team player with ability to work on own initiative.
• Customer focused.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel.
• Experience using HR systems.
• Basic understanding of HR practices and employment/recruitment legislation.
• Experience working as part of a team in a client‑focused environment to meet challenging deadlines in a volume‑oriented resourcing/recruiting environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• 26 days Annual Leave
• Industry‑leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan
• Occupational Health Service

We encourage applications from women, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Colas Rail supports a diverse workplace and will provide adjustments during the interview process where needed. The company is part of the Disability Confidence Scheme and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for eligible candidates.

Work‑life balance is important to us; flexible working options are available where feasible and dependent on the role. Please discuss this during the interview process. All applicants are welcome regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender. We actively seek to eliminate discrimination and foster equity within our workforce.