People Advisor

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change. As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to safeguarding our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a People Advisor to join our People Team in Glasgow/Falkirk. The role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis, and with a starting salary of £34,165 (pay award pending). Working hours 35 hours per week, on a hybrid model, Monday-Friday.

Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days, plus 10 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.

Purpose of the role

The People Advisor role is responsible for supporting the full remit of our People and Culture function. Operating as an HR Generalist and a first stop for advice related to our people and policies for our team and managers, this role helps managers ensure that all employees are recruited, contracted, managed, supported and challenged consistently and appropriately. The role operates within the business partnering model and will coach and support managers to deliver effectively across their key areas.

Primary Responsibilities Of The Role

• Dealing with various people related enquiries throughout the organisation and advising on people related issues.
• Reviewing and updating relevant people policies. Keeping up to date and advising on current legislation.
• Advising managers on recruitment and selection strategies.
• Advising hiring managers on candidate interview evaluation techniques.
• Assisting with and developing recruitment campaigns.
• Advising on and supporting the appointment process for successful applicants.
• Monitoring key recruitment metrics, such as turnover and retention rates.
• Liaising and negotiating with recognised trade unions.
• Providing advice and playing a significant role in supporting change processes.
• Identifying development needs.
• Facilitating positive employee relations, responding to any queries or problems that they have and managing their expectations.
• Supporting employee performance and evaluation methods (e.g. employee appraisal systems).
• Supporting the People manager with various employee relation investigations, including grievance and disciplinary.
• Driving the business performance in relation to the organisation’s objectives.
• Assisting in organising employee drop in and advisory sessions.
• Acting as the point of contact for hiring managers, employees and other people team members.

Knowledge, Skills, And Experience

Professional experience will be considered alongside qualifications from accredited programmes.

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of current thinking in HR issues and trends and employment law.
• Previous HR experience at Advisor level.
• An HR generalist with an interest and experience in recruitment, and training and development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and can build good working relationships.
• Good technical HR knowledge and employment law, with previous experience of process knowledge on policies and practices.
• Demonstrable HR advisory experience of all operational and administrative elements of HR activity.
• Excellent team working skills, including the ability to build effective relationships.
• Ability to collaborate with people at all levels of the organisation.
• Able to use People systems and has a working knowledge, entering data into relevant systems, ensuring data quality and can maintain accurate records and be able to analyse and interpret data.
• Attention to detail and accuracy - ensures facts are correct, complete and consistent.
• Can demonstrate sound judgement on the appropriate resolution of employment issues, understanding risks associated with chosen courses of action.
• Good communication skills with the ability to get your message across clearly. Also, confident presenting when required.
• Takes accountability for actions and ownership to get things done.
• Responds quickly to meet customer needs.
• Proficient IT skills – including MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint drafting documentation and complex reports.
• Full UK driving license or regular/consistent access to driver to drive between remote offices on a regular basis.
• Permission to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Has experience of coaching and developing line managers.
• Able to evidence the ability to drive positive employee engagement and contribute to a positive, diverse and inclusive culture and role models this.
• CIPD Qualification level 7 is desirable, or Equivalent education and experience.

Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if sufficient applications are received.