People & Culture Generalist (Maternity Cover)

People & Culture Generalist (Maternity Cover)

Working across all aspects of the employee lifecycle, you will help ensure our core people processes run smoothly while providing trusted, professional and people-focused support to colleagues across Compassion UK & Ireland.

From responding to employee enquiries and maintaining accurate people data to supporting payroll, benefits, recruitment, learning and employee engagement, this is a varied role where no two days will look quite the same.

You will work closely with our People & Culture Business Partner and the wider People & Culture team, helping turn organisational priorities into practical people solutions and contributing to a workplace where colleagues can thrive.

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys helping people, bringing order to busy processes and creating a positive employee experience?

We have an exciting opportunity for a People & Culture Generalist to join our People & Culture team on a maternity cover contract.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Act as a first point of contact for general HR enquiries, offering clear guidance and bringing enquiries to a timely conclusion
• Prepare employee correspondence, including contracts, variations and family leave documentation
• Support monthly payroll processes, pay changes and employee benefits
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR systems
• Produce people data and reports to help inform decision-making
• Support recruitment campaigns, interview coordination and candidate communications
• Coordinate learning activities and maintain employee training records
• Support employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, contractual changes and offboarding
• Assist with employee relations administration, documentation and case tracking
• Support employee engagement, wellbeing and culture initiatives
• Help maintain helpful and accessible People & Culture resources on SharePoint
• Identify opportunities to improve People & Culture processes and the employee experience

In this role, you’ll get the opportunity to draw on the following strengths, experiences and competencies to thrive:

• Knowledge of HR processes and concepts, with the ability to recognise and resolve typical problems using established options
• Experience in providing HR function support and administration
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Strong administrative, written and numerical skills
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and HR information systems
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality
• The ability to prioritise effectively when situations and demands change
• A positive and flexible approach to learning new processes and initiatives
• A CIPD Level 3 qualification, an equivalent HR qualification, or active progress towards one
• GCSEs in Maths and English, or equivalent qualifications
• Personally committed to the Christian faith. You can read more about this in our Policy on Posts to be Held by Christians.

It would be beneficial (although not mandatory) to possess:

• Basic understanding of employment law, regulations, guidelines and policies, with a strong desire to continuously learn, develop and improve as an HR professional
• Experience of supporting engagement, wellbeing or learning initiatives
• Experience of using an Applicant Tracking System

Location, hours and key dates

Office-based at Compassion House, Fleet

35 hours per week

Key dates

Apply by 10 am on 5 October 2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 13 October 2026 and will be in-person at Compassion House

Please note these timings are intended to help with planning and may be subject to change.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact the People & Culture Recruitment team.

Contact us

Please reach out to the People & Culture Recruitment team for any additional information or questions at

careers@compassionuk.org

Compassion UK & Ireland isn't able to offer visa sponsorship for this role, applicants must have the right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship.

About Compassion UK & Ireland

Compassion UK is committed to ensure everyone who comes into contact with us or our work is protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As such, Compassion UK expects all staff to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which will include Disclosure and Baring Service checks. Compassion UK also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we’ll request from the job applicant's previous employers information about any findings of sexual misconduct - such as sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment - during employment. We’ll also request information of incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. When someone submits a job application with us, they'll be confirming that they understand these recruitment procedures.

To comply with our obligations under the Immigration, Asylum, & Nationality Act 2006 we cannot consider applicants who do not presently have permission to work in the United Kingdom. We are only able to consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for work visas.