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- Tasks: Support HR Business Partners with employee relations and people management issues.
- Company: Join the Royal College of Art, a world-leading art and design institution.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace culture while gaining valuable HR experience.
- Qualifications: Proactive HR professionals with knowledge of employment law are encouraged to apply.
- Other info: This is a maternity cover role, starting May 2025, with flexible hours.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Join the Royal College of Art's People & Culture Team. The Royal College of Art (RCA) is seeking an HR Advisor (Maternity Cover) to join our Business Partnering & Advisory Team. This role is an exciting opportunity for a proactive HR professional to contribute to a dynamic and high-performing People & Culture function in a world-leading art and design institution.
About the Role
As an HR Advisor, you will support the HR Business Partners in delivering expert advice on a broad range of employee relations and people management issues. Acting as a trusted advisor to managers, you will help shape a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture by providing solution-focused guidance on HR policies, best practices, and employment legislation. This role has a strong emphasis on casework within a unionised environment, with a focus on absence management, performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters, and organisational change. You will also contribute to cultural assessments and HR projects that enhance the employee experience at RCA.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert advice on people-related matters, including health, conduct, capability, grievance, and dignity at work.
- Support and coach managers to develop their people management skills while ensuring compliance with employment law and College policies.
- Contribute to cultural assessments by meeting with staff, analysing feedback, and making recommendations for improvement.
- Advise on occupational health referrals and help managers implement recommendations to support employees effectively.
- Support organisational change initiatives, including restructures, redeployment, and contractual changes.
- Provide guidance on family-friendly leave, flexible working, and hybrid working arrangements.
- Conduct job evaluations to support recruitment, regrading, and organisational design.
- Deliver bite-sized HR training sessions and workshops for managers.
This role is to cover the maternity leave of the current postholder for up to a year (could end sooner if the substantive post holder returns earlier than expected). Based predominantly at Kensington/hybrid with at least 3 days per week required on campus. This role is offered at 0.8 - 1FTE and to commence May 2025. Please see Information Pack for further details. This role closes for applications at 11.59pm on 13 April 2025. In person interviews are likely to be held w/c 28 April 2025.
Human Resources Advisor (Maternity Cover) - 0.8 - 1fte employer: Royal College of Art
Contact Detail:
Royal College of Art Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Advisor (Maternity Cover) - 0.8 - 1fte
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Royal College of Art's values and culture. Understanding their commitment to inclusivity and high performance will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing how you can contribute to their People & Culture function.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to handle employee relations issues, particularly in a unionised environment. Highlighting your casework experience will show that you're ready to tackle the challenges of this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of the RCA if possible. Gaining insights into their experiences can provide you with valuable information about the workplace culture and expectations, which you can leverage during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current employment legislation and best practices in HR. Being knowledgeable about recent changes will not only prepare you for potential questions but also demonstrate your commitment to professional development in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Advisor (Maternity Cover) - 0.8 - 1fte
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements of the HR Advisor position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs of the Royal College of Art.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in employee relations, casework, and HR policies. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar situations in previous roles, especially in a unionised environment.
Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your coaching and advisory skills in your application. Mention any training sessions or workshops you have delivered, as well as your ability to support managers in developing their people management skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalised cover letter that reflects your enthusiasm for the role and the institution. Discuss your understanding of the importance of a positive workplace culture and how you can contribute to enhancing the employee experience at RCA.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal College of Art
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an HR Advisor, especially in a unionised environment. Familiarise yourself with key areas like absence management, performance management, and employee relations to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As this role involves coaching managers and advising on people management skills, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully supported others in their development. Highlight your ability to foster a positive workplace culture.
✨Prepare for Casework Scenarios
Since the position has a strong emphasis on casework, think about specific situations you've handled in the past related to grievances or disciplinary matters. Be ready to discuss your approach and the outcomes to showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
The role involves contributing to cultural assessments, so it's important to show your understanding of workplace culture. Prepare to discuss how you've previously analysed feedback and made recommendations for improvement in a similar context.
