At a Glance
- Tasks: Support colleagues throughout their employee journey, from onboarding to offboarding.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company transforming its HR operations for future success.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and a range of perks tailored for your lifestyle.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experiences while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR functions and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a Glance
- Location: Cirencester Office
- Workplace Type: Hybrid (2-3 days in the office, Tuesday is the anchor day)
- Employment Type: 12 month Fixed-Term Contract
- Seniority: Associate
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in our People Hub team, supporting colleagues across every stage of their journey with us — from their first day through to career moves and beyond. You’ll be part of a central team that keeps our People function running smoothly, enabling our specialist teams to deliver their best work and stay aligned with the wider business. Acting as a first point of contact, you’ll bring clarity and efficiency to incoming queries, ensuring they’re handled accurately and directed to the right place. If you enjoy variety, problem-solving and delivering great service, this role offers the chance to make a real impact on the employee experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting colleagues across the full employee lifecycle— from onboarding new starters to managing job changes and coordinating offboarding
- Handling a wide range of queries, ensuring they are accurately logged, prioritised and resolved or routed in line with team SLAs
- Keeping employee records accurate and up to date, and proactively identifying and escalating any data quality issues
- Playing a part in improving the employee experience by identifying opportunities for self‑service and contributing to helpful knowledge content
- Supporting HR policy reviews by coordinating updates, working with SMEs and ensuring information is accessible and up to date
- Producing a range of employment references (including standard, mortgage and regulatory) within agreed timelines
- Providing data insights and responding to reporting requests, always maintaining GDPR compliance
- Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of processes, with a strong focus on delivering a great customer experience
- Supporting quality and compliance initiatives, ensuring processes meet regulatory standards (e.g. GDPR, Right to Work)
Essential Skills & Experience
- Experience working in a People/HR function, ideally within a centralised or shared services environment
- Knowledge of end‑to‑end employee lifecycle processes
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
- Awareness and understanding of GDPR and compliance within a People function
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt style to different audiences
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and manage time effectively
- A customer‑focused approach, with the drive to deliver a high standard of service
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Basic understanding of payroll processes and procedures
- Familiarity with HR systems such as Unit4 (U4), ServiceNow and SharePoint
- Experience using HR ERP systems (e.g. Workday or Oracle)
- Experience providing data insights or handling reporting requests
- A proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and enhancing processes
What's in it for you?
We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts. We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
- Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
- Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
- 10% non‑contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments
We’re an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk. Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career‑break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch. As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
HR Operations Generalist - 12 Month FTC in Cirencester employer: St. James's Place
At our Cirencester office, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers employees to thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, competitive benefits including generous parental leave and private medical insurance, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we create an environment where every team member can make a meaningful impact on the employee experience while enjoying a healthy work-life balance through our hybrid working model.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Operations Generalist - 12 Month FTC in Cirencester
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at St. James's Place and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Operations Generalist - 12 Month FTC in Cirencester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at St. James's Place. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James's Place
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at St. James's Place, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that St. James's Place uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at St. James's Place.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at St. James's Place.
