Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR functions across Northern Ireland and Dublin stores, ensuring compliance and high-performance teams.
- Company: Smyths Toys, a leading retailer of children's toys with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Flexible travel required; great opportunity for career growth in HR.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR roles, strong interpersonal skills, and a proactive approach.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 37000 £ per year.
Smyths Toys is one of the world's largest specialty retailers of children's toys. We operate both online and via our physical retail stores, with hundreds of stores spread across Europe and the UK. We source our product range from an extensive array of UK, European and international suppliers.
We’re looking for a Regional HR Officer based in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland with solid knowledge and generalist experience in HR-related activities, practices and policies to look after our Northern Irish and Dublin stores. You will utilise your deep generalist HR knowledge and HR systems acumen to provide consultative guidance to our line managers, enabling them to build high-performing teams and maintain rigorous compliance in a fast-paced, evolving retail landscape. A proven track record of coaching and influencing managers is essential. You’ll also be a self-starter with a tenacious and delivery-focused approach. Flexibility with travel, your own car and a full driving license is also a must, as you’ll be visiting stores spread across fairly large geographical areas and overnight stays will be required. Salary banding - £30,000 to £37,000 per annum.
Responsibilities/Duties
- Act as a trusted consultant, collaborating closely with line managers to deliver sound, legally compliant HR advice, empowering them to manage their teams effectively.
- Manage and optimise HR systems, trackers, and databases, ensuring data accuracy and leveraging system capabilities to provide meaningful insights and streamline HR processes.
- Drive high standards of people management by conducting comprehensive HR audits within UK stores and overseeing meticulous compliance with absence management and other critical HR criteria.
- Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including attending and advising on investigation, disciplinary, and grievance meetings.
- Provide expert management support for key employee lifecycle processes, including maternity leave and flexible working applications.
- Partner with the business to assist with recruitment efforts across all functional areas.
- Serve as the primary, reliable point of contact for managers and all employees across the region.
You should have good employee relations knowledge, strong interpersonal skills and be able to work with large case loads. Proven experience in an HR Officer or Advisor role is required.
A benefits package inclusive of:
- 7.5% matched pension
- 31 days annual leave rising with length of service
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance Cover
- Employee Assistance Programme
- In-store discount
- High street discounts
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Payments
- Special Life-Event Gifts
- Length of Service Awards
We are an equal opportunity employer, and the only thing that matters to us is your ability to do this role.
Regional HR Officer - NI / ROI in Newtownabbey employer: Smyths Toys
Contact Detail:
Smyths Toys Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional HR Officer - NI / ROI in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in retail. They might have insider info on job openings or even refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Smyths Toys and understanding their culture. Tailor your responses to show how your HR experience aligns with their values and needs, especially in managing teams and compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your coaching skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've influenced managers in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to empower others, which is key for the Regional HR Officer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional HR Officer - NI / ROI in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Regional HR Officer role. Highlight your HR generalist experience and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills can help us in our fast-paced retail environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share examples of how you've influenced managers or improved HR processes in previous positions. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Your HR Systems Knowledge: Since managing HR systems is key for this role, make sure to mention any relevant software or tools you’ve used. We’re looking for someone who can optimise our HR processes, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Smyths Toys!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smyths Toys
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your generalist HR knowledge. Understand the key HR practices and policies that are relevant to Smyths Toys, especially in a retail context. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully coached managers in the past and how you can apply that experience to their stores.
✨Showcase Your Systems Savvy
Since managing HR systems is a big part of the role, be prepared to talk about your experience with HR databases and data integrity. Think of specific examples where you've optimised HR processes or provided insights through data analysis. This will show them you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy!
✨Demonstrate Your Compliance Knowledge
Compliance is crucial in HR, especially in a fast-paced retail environment. Familiarise yourself with UK employment laws and be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles. Bring examples of audits or compliance checks you've conducted to illustrate your attention to detail.
✨Be Ready for Real-Life Scenarios
Expect situational questions about employee relations and lifecycle management. Prepare to discuss how you would handle complex cases, such as disciplinary actions or flexible working requests. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your problem-solving skills.