UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £37,841 per annum.

Band: UKRI Band D.

Contract Type: Fixed Term (14 months).

Hours: Full-time (flexible working available).

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).

Closing Date: Sunday 19th July 2026.

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the Role

Do you have experience of working in an operational HR role where no two days are the same? Are you self-motivated, happy to use your own judgement and provide sound support to colleagues at varying levels? If yes, then this role is for you...

People are at the centre of all we do. Your role will be varied and fast-paced with learning opportunities along the way. As a large team of HR professionals, we strive to provide high-quality provisions to c6500 employees across UKRI, by working together and supporting each other.

You will be joining UKRI at an exciting time as we adapt to a new HR and Finance System and the opportunities this brings to review and enhance our ways of working, bringing functionality and simplified processes to assist Employees and Managers to ‘self-serve’ HR first-line enquiries.

Our fantastic team is based across several locations. Whilst we work in a hybrid environment, we do require on-site working twice a week (as a minimum) as we believe spending time in person and collaborating is important for us as individuals and as a team. We do, however, understand the balance of work/life pressures; therefore, our team works flexibly around their personal commitments.

Your Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day queries, providing professional, timely, accurate, and robust advice and guidance to managers and staff in line with the HR delegation framework on a wide range of HR queries including pay, attendance, working patterns, performance management, etc., providing advice on associated policies and completion of forms as appropriate.
• Manage or provide support as appropriate on a range of casework including sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases, etc.
• Work closely with colleagues in the HR Operations Team, Strategic HR Business Partners, and the HR Centres of Expertise in helping to deliver a consistent and joined-up HR service across the organisation.
• Build effective working relationships with managers and staff and with other HR colleagues to support the maintenance and development of best practice policies and procedures.
• Participate as appropriate in the development and delivery of HR learning and personal development initiatives.
• Lead or support on HR-related projects as appropriate.
• Review and analyse MI data and trends to make recommendations on data-driven HR actions.
• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to work, to ensure that records are kept up to date and letters, guidance, and templates etc. are accurate and appropriate.
• Liaise with colleagues in UKSBS, and other external organisations as appropriate.