Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert HR support and advice across employee relations and policy matters.
- Company: Specialist higher education institution with a focus on inclusivity and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on best practices and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in HR while supporting a diverse community in higher education.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or above and previous HR experience in higher education.
The predicted salary is between 38738 - 38738 £ per year.
Salary: £38,738 per annum
Contract: Full‑time, 3‑month fixed‑term contract
Location: London (hybrid working available)
We are pleased to be supporting a specialist higher education institution in the search for a temporary HR Officer. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional with strong employee relations experience to work across a varied and impactful caseload. Working closely with HR Business Partners and senior stakeholders, this role provides high‑quality, practical advice across the full employee lifecycle, supporting managers to navigate people matters confidently, compliantly and consistently.
Key Responsibilities:
- Employee Relations & Advisory Support: Providing professional advice and support across a broad range of employee relations matters, including absence management, performance, conduct, grievance, capability and dignity at work cases. Supporting managers with disciplinary, grievance and change‑related processes in line with policy, procedure and employment legislation. Advising on occupational health referrals, interpreting reports and supporting managers to implement recommendations.
- Policy, Contracts & Casework: Supporting the interpretation and application of HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment. Managing the fixed‑term contracts process, including tracking end dates, coordinating extensions or terminations, issuing documentation and ensuring compliance. Advising on family‑friendly leave, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, career breaks and related processes, including the production of maternity leave schedules.
- Change, Job Evaluation & Projects: Contributing to organisational change activity, including restructures, changes to terms and conditions, redundancy and redeployment processes. Undertaking job evaluations for new or amended roles to support recruitment, regrading and organisational design activity. Supporting people‑focused projects relating to contractual, policy or terms and conditions changes.
- Collaboration & Best Practice: Working collaboratively with colleagues across the wider People & Culture function to share expertise, coordinate activity and ensure consistency. Developing strong internal and external networks to ensure the application of best practice and awareness of sector developments.
To be considered for this position, you should bring:
- CIPD Level 5 or above qualification.
- Previous HR experience within Higher Education institutions.
- Demonstrable experience managing employee relations casework within a complex, unionised environment.
- Sound working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Strong interpersonal, analytical and communication skills, with the resilience to manage competing priorities.
- High standards of data protection, information governance and confidentiality.
- Digital confidence, with experience using HR systems and collaborative digital tools.
- Knowledge of job evaluation frameworks, HR systems and UKVI requirements would be advantageous.
As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you throughout the application process.
HR Officer employer: Prospectus
Contact Detail:
Prospectus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Officer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the HR field! Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that HR Officer role.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those interviews by practising common HR scenarios and questions. We should also be ready to showcase our experience with employee relations and how we can support managers effectively. Confidence is key!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When we get the chance to meet potential employers, let’s highlight our CIPD qualifications and any relevant HR experience. Sharing specific examples of how we've handled complex cases will really make us stand out.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our applications and stay updated on new opportunities in the HR sector.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Officer role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and any relevant qualifications, like your CIPD Level 5. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits with our needs. Be sure to mention your experience in higher education and your understanding of UK employment law.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your strong interpersonal and analytical skills. We love candidates who can manage competing priorities and communicate effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Prospectus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific employee relations matters mentioned in the job description, like absence management and grievance processes. This will show that you're not just a good fit but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous HR experience, especially within higher education. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed employee relations casework or contributed to organisational change. This will help you demonstrate your capability and confidence in handling similar situations.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Come prepared with insightful questions about the institution's HR policies and how they handle employee relations. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to assess if the organisation aligns with your values and working style.
✨Be Yourself
While it's important to be professional, don't forget to let your personality shine through. The interviewers are looking for someone who fits well within their team, so being authentic can make a big difference. Show them your interpersonal skills and resilience in managing competing priorities.