HR Officer

Step into a rewarding permanent HR Officer role offering excellent benefits, genuine career development and the opportunity to shape HR practices across a growing, purpose-driven housing organisation.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR Officer, HR Advisor or People Advisor who has strong generalist HR experience, with extensive hands-on Employee Relations experience and the confidence to independently manage ER matters from start to finish.

You will become the first dedicated HR professional within the group, supporting three complementary brands across private sector leasing, supported living and charitable housing initiatives. Reporting directly to the Group Managing Director, you will take ownership of key HR processes while receiving additional support from an experienced external HR Consultant.

IMPORTANT - Office-Based Role & Immediate Start. This is a full-time, office-based position in Ilford. There is no flexibility for hybrid or remote working.

The successful candidate must be based within a reasonable and commutable distance of Ilford and be comfortable working from the office on a full-time basis.

The organisation is also looking for someone who is available to start immediately, or who has a very short notice period.

A strong Employee Relations background is essential

This is not a predominantly recruitment or HR administration role. The successful candidate must have extensive practical experience in Employee Relations, including independently managing complex and sensitive cases.

• Disciplinary processes from end to end, including investigations, evidence gathering, meetings, outcome letters and follow-up actions
• Performance management processes and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) from end to end
• Grievances and employee complaints
• Absence and attendance management
• Probation and capability matters
• Conduct and behavioural issues
• Providing confident HR advice to managers throughout the process
• Ensuring HR processes are fair, consistent and compliant with UK employment legislation and the ACAS Code of Practice

You should be able to demonstrate that you have personally owned and managed ER cases through to resolution, rather than simply providing administrative or coordination support.

• Leading recruitment activity across the group, from drafting job adverts through to onboarding
• Managing safer recruitment processes, including DBS checks, references and right-to-work checks
• Acting as the first point of contact for Employee Relations matters and providing confident HR advice to managers and employees
• Managing disciplinary cases from initial investigation through to final outcome
• Managing performance issues and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) from start to finish
• Managing grievance, absence, capability, conduct and probation matters
• Advising managers throughout ER processes and ensuring appropriate documentation is maintained
• Ensuring HR processes are consistent with UK employment law, company policies and the ACAS Code of Practice
• Maintaining accurate HR records and personnel files using Breathe HR
• Supporting the review and implementation of HR policies and procedures
• Maintaining training matrices and supporting employee development opportunities
• Supporting apprenticeship programmes and liaising with training providers
• Providing HR and PA support to the Group Managing Director and senior management team

• A minimum of CIPD Level 3 in HR Practice, or an equivalent recognised HR qualification - CIPD Level 5 is highly desirable
• Extensive generalist HR and Employee Relations experience
• Proven experience independently managing disciplinary cases from end to end
• Proven experience managing performance issues and Performance Improvement Plans from end to end
• Experience managing grievances, absence, capability, conduct and probation matters
• The confidence to provide practical HR advice to managers and employees at all levels
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, the Equality Act 2010 and the ACAS Code of Practice
• Experience managing safer recruitment processes, including DBS and reference checks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly when dealing with sensitive and complex employee matters
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload independently
• Experience using an HRIS platform such as Breathe HR or similar
• Previous experience within housing,…