HR and Payroll Assistant in St Albans

HR and Payroll Assistant – Part Time

Farm Day Nurseries Group – Part time, Permanent contract, 16hrs per week (2 days). Either Wed/Thurs, or Thurs/Fri. Role based onsite at our Willows Farm Day Nursery (AL4 0PF).

We are a privately owned group of farm-based day nurseries, providing children with unique opportunities to learn through nature, animals and outdoor experiences every day. Our settings are built around creating exceptional experiences for children, families and, just as importantly, our team.

About The Role

You’ll support the Director of People & Wellbeing across a wide range of HR and payroll activities, helping ensure our people receive the very best support throughout their employment journey. This is far more than an administration role – you’ll play an important part in supporting our people, strengthening our culture and helping our nurseries continue to thrive.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Providing day-to-day administrative support to the People & Wellbeing function.
• Assisting with the monthly payroll process, including collating payroll information and ensuring data is accurate.
• Supporting the administration of employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• Preparing contracts, letters, HR documentation and employee correspondence.
• Maintaining accurate employee records and HR systems.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding and pre-employment compliance.
• Assisting managers with HR administration and people-related queries.
• Helping ensure compliance with employment legislation and company policies.
• Carrying out HR compliance audits across our nursery settings.
• Supporting absence management administration and reporting.
• Producing HR reports and analysing people data.
• Assisting with employee engagement, recognition and culture initiatives.
• Supporting a variety of exciting HR projects across the business.
• Providing excellent confidential administrative support across all areas of HR.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about people and wants to develop a career in Human Resources.

You’ll Ideally Be

• Studying towards a CIPD qualification or a degree in Human Resources (or recently qualified).
• Passionate about creating positive workplace cultures.
• Organised with exceptional attention to detail.
• A confident communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
• Professional, approachable and trustworthy.
• Able to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Comfortable prioritising multiple tasks and working independently.
• Keen to learn, develop and take on new challenges.

Desirable Experience

• UK employment law.
• HR administration.
• Payroll processes.
• Employee benefits administration.
• HR systems.
• Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.

What You’ll Gain

This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical HR experience across the full employee lifecycle while working within a supportive, experienced People Team. You’ll gain exposure to employee relations, payroll, recruitment and onboarding, employment law, HR compliance, employee wellbeing, reward and recognition, organisational culture, HR projects, and leadership support.

Benefits

• 50% off childcare (including Holiday Camp) – from day one!
• Wellbeing ambassadors in all settings to look after your health and wellbeing.
• Free lunches and drinks every day for staff.
• WPA “NHS Top up” – 24/7 helpline, private doctors appointments, money back on healthcare expenses.
• Tastecard for all permanent staff – up to 50% off various restaurants, cafes, takeaways, cinema tickets & days out.
• Free family annual pass into Willows Farm (worth £600 per year).
• 28 days annual holiday, increasing with service up to 33 days.
• Refer a friend bonus up to £500 per referral – no limit on referrals.
• Open door management policy – feel free to talk to us.
• Access to training courses and ongoing progression opportunities.
• Regular staff/team outings and celebrations.
• Free staff uniform – comfortable polo shirts, coat for outdoors.
• Enhanced NEST Pension scheme for all staff.
• Monthly staff lotteries and employee of the month.
• Length of service awards and gifts.
• Staff awards ceremony – prizes worth up to £500.
• Staff summer BBQ and Christmas party.
• Extra “thank you” gifts for Valentine’s, Easter, Staff appreciation day, Christmas and other special annual days.
• Relocation packages for those seeking a change of scenery.
• Cycle to work scheme – help buying a new bike.
• Free parking.

Farm Day Nurseries are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.