At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide HR support for transformation programmes and promote a people-centred approach.
- Company: Join UK Research & Innovation, a leader in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for continuous learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's careers while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified with experience in operational HR roles.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 £ per year.
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Band: UKRI Band D
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Until 31st March 2028)
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire/Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon - Hybrid working available (Min 2 days per week in the office)
Closing Date: 28th July 2026
About the role
The role will provide advisory and operational HR support to enable the people-focused elements of major transformation programmes, coordinating activities, preparing documentation and enabling managers and HR colleagues to deliver people-related change in line with organisational policies and guidance. A key part of the role is promoting a people-centred approach that helps ensure the right skills are in the right place, supports and enables internal movement opportunities, and contributes to protecting employee wellbeing. The postholder will help ensure that any change activity is carried out fairly, transparently and in line with UKRI policies, employment principles and values. The role will work with stakeholders to gather information, contribute to people and equality impacts, and escalate issues as needed. The postholder will help maintain accurate records, ensure complex processes are followed correctly and contribute to the production, delivery and maintenance of clear, practical materials to enable consistent delivery of change across business teams.
Your responsibilities:
- First-line advice and HR Support
- Manage day-to-day first-line queries related to the programme, providing timely, accurate and professional advice to managers and colleagues involved in organisational change activity, escalating more complex issues as appropriate.
- Build effective working relationships across the programme and business areas to ensure managers and staff have a clear, regular and reliable HR point of contact.
- Own employee relations matters arising from the programme, ensuring timely referral to the Employee Relations or HR Operations teams to maintain a consistent and joined-up HR service.
- Where required, support and enable redeployment activity by coordinating referrals, monitoring progress and ensuring all actions comply with required timescales, policies and guidance.
- Participate in colleague meetings where required, issuing any required template documentation in advance and ensuring completed materials are recorded and stored correctly.
- Ensure relevant processes and documentation is completed for staff moves, contractual changes and associated HR processes, including system updates (e.g., Fusion).
- Support and enable the development and delivery of upskilling activities for managers and HR teams to improve understanding of change, transformation and any organisational change processes including role mapping, job matching and internal movement in line with UKRIs policies and guidance including organisational change and internal movement guidance.
- Documentation, templates and process management
- Prepare and issue standard letters, templates, toolkits and documentation for potential organisational change and redeployment activity, ensuring they align with organisational policy, legislative requirements and approved formats.
- Assist in developing and maintaining shared libraries of templates, guidance materials and toolkits used across the programme.
- Adopt a continuous-improvement approach by drafting routine documents, identifying areas for refinement and ensuring alignment with policy, guidance and legislation.
- Data, Reporting & Coordination
- Schedule and coordinate meetings and briefings, ensuring accurate documentation and records are maintained.
- Maintain programme-related trackers, logs and databases to ensure accurate and up-to-date HR data is captured.
- Gather and input HR data to complete or enable potential organisational change, role mapping, People & Equality Impact Assessments, change-impact assessments and programme reporting.
- Produce routine reports and summaries for review by Programme HR Business Partners.
- Liaise with external providers (e.g., Capita) as requested.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Appropriate CIPD qualified (or equivalent) with current, relevant experience working in an operational HR role providing advice, administrative and coordination support, maintaining accurate records, trackers and confidential information (S/I).
- Ability to interpret and apply organisational policies, HR processes and guidance, escalating issues appropriately when required (S/I).
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment (S/I).
- Clear and accurate written communication skills, including preparing letters, templates, meeting documentation and reports (S/I).
- Effective verbal communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with managers, staff and HR colleagues (I).
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy when inputting, analysing or preparing HR information (S/I).
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally, demonstrating integrity and sound judgement (I).
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting fair and consistent HR processes (S/I).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
HR Transformation Advisor in London employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides comprehensive training opportunities and encourages continuous learning, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the scientific community. Located in the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding career path in Human Resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Transformation Advisor in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at UKRI!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at UKRI.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Transformation Advisor in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at UKRI. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to UKRI and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at UKRI. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to UKRI's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with UKRI.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at UKRI will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact UKRI and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.