HR Advisor

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to provide dedicated HR support within the Health & Benefits Business within our Howden Retail division. You'll work closely with the Head of HR, and HR Business Partner, acting as the first line of defence for HR issues, employment relations cases and generalist queries. You will also work collaboratively with HR Employee Services and HR Centres of Excellence (incl. Talent Acquisition, HRIS & Reward).

As a key contributor, you will thrive in our dynamic and fast-paced environment, you'll embrace the complexity and commerciality that accompanies Howden's growth plans. This role involves navigating ambiguity, turning it into opportunity, and working collaboratively with the broader HR Team to craft the operational landscape of our newly established Retail business.

This role is based in London and has a hybrid work pattern (2-3 days in-office), with occasional travel to our satellite offices throughout the UK.

Within this role you will be responsible for:

• Welcoming new joiners to the Howden Group with an introduction session to Workday, Workplace and the learning platforms, and actions any new joiner questions or queries accordingly

• Review and processe job changes through Workday (team organisation changes, transfers, promotions, leavers etc.)

• Serve as the initial contact for general inquiries and address Employee Relations matters, collaborating with the HR Business Partner and Head of HR for significant issues.

• Ensuring the relevant MI tracker or system is updated and the Head of HR is aware of any trends.

• Mentor, support and upskill first line leaders in order to develop employee relations and manager capability.

• Support probationary extensions and dismissals, flexible working applications, performance management processes, as well as disciplinary, capability and grievance cases.

• Provide advice and direction, scripting conversations, note taking, drafting and issuing paperwork as required.

• Ownership of sickness and long term absence cases, including occupational health assessments, return to work arrangements, group income protection applications and line manager support.

• Support the employee experience of Family related policies (non-birthing parent/parental leave).

• Work with the Head of HR to provide support with operational M&A / new initiative activity.

• Support the annual compensation and promotions process.

• Proactively run exit interviews for members of staff (excl. senior management), advising the Lead HR Business Partner of any key business insights and feedback.

• Offer on-demand, custom letters, and administrative support when needed.

Other responsibilities

• Collaborate with the HR Business Partner on various projects, and contribute to other initiatives as needed, such as policy and process reviews, training program development, SMCR process implementation, talent and goal setting, early careers, diversity & inclusion, and manager training.

• Keep informed of all regulatory and legal changes which impact on the job role and contribute to the continuous improvement of HR procedures, policies and practices.

Workday / HR Systems

• Maintain and produce reports utilising Workday e.g. headcount, absence, talent, objectives etc.

• Upskilling managers on Workday self-service in collaboration with HR Employee Services.

• Verify data and Workday records, making sure job titles, teams, and cost centers are accurate, and sending relevant notifications to the appropriate business collaborators.

Role Requirements:

• Demonstrable experience in a similar HR role.

• Experience using Workday.

• CIPD qualified, preferred.

• Sound employee relations experience.

• Comfortable in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment with high volume case management experience.

• Strong customer focus and employee experience mind-set - using this for continuous improvement in service delivery.

• Good Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills.

• Willing to travel (inside of the UK) as required.