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- Tasks: Support managers with HR issues and lead employee relations cases.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health support, pension scheme, and work-life balance perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while supporting innovative research.
- Qualifications: Experience as an HR Advisor with strong influencing and analytical skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 40600 - 40600 £ per year.
Salary for this Role: From £40,600 subject to skills and experience, plus benefits.
Reports to: People Partner
This is a full-time, fixed-term maternity cover on Crick terms and conditions of employment.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a People Advisor to join our fast‑paced, supportive HR team at the Crick. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced People Advisor to join our friendly People Partnering team to provide maternity cover. In this role, you will act as a trusted advisor to managers, lead allocated ER casework, and will work on a selection of people projects. Working collaboratively with a team of Advisors, you will also have an opportunity to contribute to the continuous improvement of People processes and policies. This is a role that delivers first-line support to all employees and managers across the Crick. A visible and influential position, requiring confidence, independent judgment, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving and relationship‑building. It will suit an individual able to navigate a dynamic environment and comfortable working with a level of ambiguity. If you are a HR professional looking for a fixed term opportunity, interested in gaining experience of working in a scientific institute, this will be an ideal opportunity for you.
Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Trusted Advisor to Group Leaders and Operational Heads and managers, supporting with all people issues
- Provide expert HR advice on all aspects of the employee lifecycle, working with minimal supervision and high autonomy
- Lead on the full range of employee relations cases of varied complexity, including investigations, hearings and appeals, ensuring best practice and consistency
- Support managers with restructures and redundancy processes with the ability to deliver the end‑to‑end process
- Work in partnership with managers to proactively identify people challenges and propose appropriate solutions in line with Crick values
- Design and deliver management training
About you
You will have:
- Good level of experience at HR Advisor level, with evidence of working independently on employee relations issues
- Strong influencing and coaching skills, with the ability and confidence to challenge constructively and build trust at all levels
- Excellent judgment and ability to balance risk and pragmatism in HR decisions
- A track record of leading or significantly contributing to HR projects or organisational change initiatives
- Strong analytical skills with experience translating people data into actionable insights
- Proven ability to build positive workplace relationships across all stakeholder groups
About Working at the Crick
Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture! We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, and personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: weronika.kucala@crick.ac.uk
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well‑being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programs. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance: Back‑up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
- Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike‑to‑work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
HR Advisor (maternity cover) employer: The Francis Crick Institute
Contact Detail:
The Francis Crick Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor (maternity cover)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who might have insights into the Crick. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Crick’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with our mission and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common HR scenarios. We want to see how you handle real-life situations, so think about examples from your past that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to build relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the Crick.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor (maternity cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your experience with employee relations and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role at the Crick and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your People Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your influencing and coaching skills. We’re looking for someone who can build trust and navigate relationships effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you’ll find all the details you need there too!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Francis Crick Institute
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in HR practices and the specific responsibilities of the HR Advisor role. Brush up on employee relations, coaching skills, and how to handle complex cases. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully navigated employee relations issues or led HR projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will demonstrate your ability to work independently and your strong influencing skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
The Crick values collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with managers and teams in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve built trust and relationships across different levels of an organisation. This will show that you align with their culture and can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing HR projects, or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a better understanding of what it’s like to work at the Crick.
