Universal Works
People Generalist / HR Officer
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Location: Head Office, Nottingham
Contract Type: Full Time Permanent
Hours: Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 17:30, Friday 09:00 - 15:00
Reporting to: HR Manager
Why Universal Works?
Universal Works began with a simple idea: to make good, honest clothes that people want to wear for years. We've grown into a respected independent British clothing brand with a loyal following, while remaining a close-knit team across our head office, warehouse and stores, where every contribution matters.
This is an opportunity to join a developing People function, with the chance to shape how we work and enjoy real variety in your role.
If you value doing things well, want to work somewhere with character, and would like to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
About the role
Are you a proactive, customer-focused People professional looking to take ownership of day-to-day people operations? Working closely with our HR Manager, you will serve as the reliable first point of contact for managers and employees across the organisation. From onboarding new team members to supporting employee relations and coordinating engagement initiatives, you will play a central role in keeping our People function running smoothly.
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What you'll be doing
- Own end-to-end employee lifecycle admin: including new starters, contract changes, family leave, absences, and leavers.
- Answering people queries clearly and consistently: explaining policy and escalating when appropriate
- Supporting employee relations cases: preparing letters and meeting packs, and taking notes at hearings
- Recruitment and onboarding: coordinating recruitment - posting adverts, shortlisting support, scheduling and supporting managers to deliver a welcoming onboarding experience
- Maintaining our people records: accurate and secure record keeping
- Culture and engagement: support with benefits administration, health and safety coordination, training tracking and company events
- Help shape People Operations: spotting what could work better, and helping us improve people processes
What we're looking for
Qualifications & Knowledge: CIPD Level 3 qualified (or equivalent hands-on experience in a generalist HR role) with a solid working knowledge of UK employment law
Practical Experience: Proven track record managing employee lifecycle admin, supporting ER casework, and handling confidential or sensitive information in compliance with GDPR
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Accuracy & Workload Management: High attention to detail and accuracy with data and written work, paired with ability to prioritise workload effectively around fixed deadlines
Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to explain HR policies clearly and tactfully
Tech & Systems: Confident using Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
Desirable experience
It would also be a bonus if you have experience with recruitment, payroll input, BrightHR or a similar HR system, health and safety administration, or supporting teams across multiple sites. A background in fashion, apparel, retail or consumer goods would also be an advantage.
What's in it for you
- A real say in how our People function is run
- Competitive salary
- 28 days of holiday increasing after your first year with us
- Generous employee discount and clothing allowance
- Access to discounts platform and employee assistant programme
How to apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter to jobs@universalworks.com by end of Monday 5th October 2026. Shortlisting will commence from 6th October 2026.
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