HR Officer

On behalf of Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority , we are looking for a HR Officer - (Inside IR35) for a 6-month contract working on a remote basis and with an expectation of occasional office attendance in either Surrey or Sussex offices

The Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority (SBSA) is a new strategic authority established to provide leadership across Sussex and Brighton, working with partners to deliver economic growth, transport and infrastructure, housing and regeneration, and better outcomes for communities.

SBSA is continuing to establish its People function and core employment arrangements as the organisation grows. The Interim HR Officer will provide immediate, hands-on HR capacity, working closely with the People Business Partner and People Lead to ensure operational HR activity is delivered effectively.

This is a broad and fast-paced interim role requiring an experienced HR practitioner who can quickly understand organisational priorities, work independently and take ownership of a varied workload.

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, responsive and pragmatic operational HR support and advice across SBSA.

The Interim HR Officer will independently manage day-to-day HR activity and a range of employee relations matters, support recruitment and onboarding, maintain effective employee lifecycle processes, and contribute to organisational change and key People projects.

The postholder will be expected to use professional judgement, identify and resolve issues proactively and escalate only those matters requiring senior or specialist input.

As an HR Officer - (Inside IR35), your main responsibilities will be:

HR Advice and Employee Relations

- Provide confident and pragmatic HR advice to managers across a broad range of employment matters.
- Manage a varied portfolio of employee relations cases, including sickness absence, conduct, capability, grievance, performance, probation and flexible working.
- Advise and coach managers on the application of HR policies, procedures and employment law.
- Support formal investigations, hearings and other employee relations processes.
- Prepare appropriate HR correspondence and case documentation.
- Identify employment risks and recommend practical and proportionate solutions.
- Escalate complex , sensitive or high-risk matters appropriately.
- Ensure cases are progressed effectively and within appropriate timescales.

Recruitment and Resourcing

- Manage and coordinate recruitment activity from vacancy approval through to appointment.
- Advise managers on recruitment and selection processes.
- Support the preparation of job descriptions, adverts and recruitment documentation.
- Coordinate candidate communications, interviews, offers and pre-employment checks.
- Liaise with recruitment agencies and other external providers.
- Support interim, temporary, fixed-term and secondment appointments.
- Prepare offers, contracts and associated employment documentation.
- Ensure new starters are effectively onboarded and ready to commence employment.

Employee Lifecycle and HR Administration

- Take ownership of employee lifecycle processes including starters, contractual changes, extensions, secondments and leavers.
- Prepare contracts, variations and other employment correspondence accurately and promptly.
- Maintain accurate employee records, trackers and HR documentation.
- Monitor probation periods, fixed-term contracts, secondments and other key employment dates.
- Ensure employee changes are communicated to payroll, pensions and other relevant providers within required deadlines.
- Resolve operational HR issues proactively and ensure outstanding actions are followed through to completion.

Payroll, Pensions and Benefits

- Support the accurate and timely provision of employee information to payroll.
- Liaise directly with payroll providers to resolve queries and discrepancies.
- Support pension administration, including liaison with Local Government Pension Scheme providers.
- Respond to routine employee queries regarding pay, pensions and benefits.
- Support the implementation and administration of employee benefits.
- Undertake appropriate checks to ensure employee and payroll information is accurate.

To be considered for this role, please ensure your CV evidences the following essential criteria.

Essential

- Public Sector Experience
- Experience within an HR function
- HR generalist background
- Excel to Intermediate Level
- Flexible attitude to working

Desirable

- HR Systems experience

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".