At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations, compliance, and risk management while empowering teams.
- Company: Dynamic student-focused organisation enhancing university experiences.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 35 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping HR processes and supporting diverse teams.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 and significant HR management experience required.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team on a stunning campus with excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 25000 £ per year.
A role where you can innovate and make a real impact!
About Reading Students’ Union
We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone, we inspire and empower students to change the world.
The Role:
Are you passionate about compliance, systems, and risk management? Do you thrive on detail, process improvement, and empowering managers to lead confidently? We’re looking for a HR Manager who will shape our HR operations for excellence.
You’ll be part of our small but very busy team, where no two days are the same. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll manage complex HR processes, develop robust systems, and provide strategic insight to keep us ahead of the curve. You’ll also support a diverse range of teams, including our commercial venues team, nursery staff, career staff, student-staff, interns and apprentices, ensuring tailored HR solutions.
What You'll do:
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Lead on employment law, contracts, employee relations, IR35, right-to-work checks, and HR audits.
- Act as the HR lead for payroll operations and ensure GDPR compliance.
- HR Operations & Systems
- Handle day-to-day HR queries and deliver excellent customer service.
- Design and optimise workflows, SOPs, and HR processes for efficiency.
- Maintain and develop accessible HR policies, templates, and resources for best practice and accessibility.
- Manage technical queries (payroll, statutory leave, annual leave, contract changes).
- Oversee multiple HR and payroll databases and leverage automation for accuracy and efficiency.
- Deliver end-to-end recruitment for career staff, student staff, apprenticeships, and internships, including planning and fair selection.
- Implement streamlined onboarding and offboarding processes, including exit interviews.
- Manage reporting schedules (absence, turnover, new hires etc) for data driven insights and impact reporting.
- Employee Relations & Wellbeing
- Coach and empower managers to confidently lead on disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, capability, and redundancy processes.
- Support conflict resolution through mediation and coaching.
- Develop disability support plans and manage occupational health referrals.
- Strategic HR
- Support the Head of People & Culture in developing and implementing a new People Strategy and managing organisational change.
- Drive continuous improvement and position the organisation as a sector leader.
- Collaboration & Leadership
- Line manage an HR Coordinator, providing guidance and development.
- Manage stakeholder relationships and deliver clear, engaging all-staff communications.
About You
Essential
- CIPD Level 5.
- Significant experience as an HR Manager in a busy environment, with the confidence to handle all complex issues that come your way and really 'own' the operations.
- Proven ability to create processes—not just follow them—driving innovation and efficiency.
- Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Payroll experience.
- Expert at prioritising competing priorities.
- Expert technical knowledge and skills for statutory leave, contracts, calculations, payroll, reporting and data analysis.
- Resilient, detail-driven, and passionate about process improvement.
- HR audit experience.
- You think strategically.
- Organised, adaptable, and ready to make things happen.
- Line management experience.
- Evidence of CPD.
Desirable
- CIPD Level 5.
- Degree in Human Resources.
- HR Consultancy experience.
- HR Business Partner experience.
- HR management experience in small to medium sized organisations.
Why Join Us?
- Inclusive and supportive team culture.
- Flexible working options.
- 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus.
Ready to make our People Strategy a reality? Apply today! Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.
Part-time HR Manager (Compliance & Operations) in Reading employer: Reading Students' Union
Contact Detail:
Reading Students' Union Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Part-time HR Manager (Compliance & Operations) in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in compliance and operations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of empowering students and enhancing their university experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've improved HR processes or handled complex issues in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to innovate and make a real impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our dynamic team at Reading Students’ Union.
We think you need these skills to ace Part-time HR Manager (Compliance & Operations) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the HR Manager role. Highlight your compliance knowledge, payroll experience, and any process improvements you've implemented in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this position. Share specific examples of how you've empowered managers or improved HR processes in the past to show us what you can bring to our team.
Showcase Your HR Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of employment law and HR compliance in your application. We want to see that you’re not just familiar with these concepts but that you can apply them effectively in a busy environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Students' Union
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on employment law and HR compliance before the interview. Being able to discuss specific regulations and how they apply to the role will show that you're not just familiar with the basics, but that you can handle the complexities of HR operations.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've designed or optimised HR processes in the past. This could be anything from streamlining onboarding procedures to improving payroll accuracy. Highlighting your ability to innovate will resonate well with the team looking for someone to drive efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management
Think about times when you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders. Be ready to share specific examples of how you communicated effectively and resolved conflicts. This will illustrate your strong communication skills and your ability to empower managers.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Since this role involves handling technical queries related to payroll and HR databases, prepare yourself for some detailed questions. Brush up on your knowledge of statutory leave, contract changes, and data analysis so you can confidently tackle any technical challenges thrown your way.