People and Policy Partner

We are looking for a People and Policy Partner for a fixed period of 1 year in the People and Organisational Development team to support us in our exciting mission to transform the physics landscape for the UK and Ireland, and ensure a thriving physics ecosystem that contributes to innovation, discovery, research, growth and debate in the UK, Ireland and beyond.

We are very proud of our innovative strategy and you can visit our website for more information about our work.

Role overview

To be an integral part of the people team giving advice on a range of complex ER issues to employees and line managers. This is a specialist role that will look pro-actively to make improvements to policy and employee relations. There is also a generalist element to this position whereby the role will support day-to-day HR functions as part of the people team.

What will I be doing?

• First point of contact on IOP’s ER issues and responses
• Project manager for IOP HR policies, assessing and updating them on an ongoing basis
• Managing employee relations’ activities, ensuring that outcomes are proportionate, reasonable, timely and in line with legislation and the Institute’s policies
• Guiding, advising and assisting management and senior management through employee relations processes
• Providing people management advice, support and coaching to line managers, to enable them to fully undertake their people management role and ensure they are fully aware of the risks/implications associated with their decisions e.g. sickness absence management, recruitment, disciplinary issues, performance management, grievances, flexible working, etc.

About you...

The role is ideal for someone with strong generalist HR experience and excellent knowledge and understanding of UK employment legislation, key HR legislation and HR systems to appropriately advise and lead on ER cases. Ideally you would need to be CIPD part qualified or studying towards a qualification.

We are looking for an organised and dependable individual who has a proven ability to work within a small team, and who can communicate effectively with a wide range of people both in written and oral form. 

Strong interpersonal skills with ability to listen, discuss, negotiate and provide advice on difficult, complex or sensitive issues is essential.

Who will I work with?

• Internally, the role works across all departments as well as IOP Publishing HR and Finance
• Externally, the role works with employment lawyers, occupational health providers and EDI professionals

Ideally, we at the IOP hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

• A sound knowledge of employment legislation and its application
• Strong sense of professional boundaries and the importance of confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to listen, discuss, negotiate and provide advice on difficult, complex or sensitive issues
• Experience working in a busy and varied role in a fast-paced environment, autonomously
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
• Absolute attention to detail
• HR qualification
• Strong sense of professional boundaries and the importance of confidentiality

Nice to have

• Level 5 CIPD qualification (or working towards it)
• Experience using HR systems, ideally iTrent (Electric Theme)

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Application

Alongside your CV, please ensure you include a cover letter stating how you meet the person specification. 

How will I be working?

The Institute of Physics is an inclusive employer, and our people are at the heart of our approach to delivery. Following the impact of COVID-19, we have developed a new, innovative and exciting trust-based model of flexible working called How We Work. This empowers our staff to choose both individually and as a team how, when and where they work to deliver the goals of the organisation, acknowledging that there will be occasions where in-person meetings, collaborations and events will help generate greater impact. The How We Work initiative is based on the principles of collaboration, trust, flexibility and agility. You will be allocated a ‘base’ office which can also be a chosen place of work. 

Why should I want to work for the IOP?

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland - we seek to raise public awareness and understanding of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, we’re here to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society. 

There’s never been a more exciting time to join the IOP - watch our film to find out more about our work. 

As well as a competitive salary and professional development opportunities, we offer employees a comprehensive benefits package including:

• An excellent pension scheme - (up to 12% company contribution)
• Private medical insurance, gym membership, life assurance, dental insurance, health care cash plan (via salary sacrifice) eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards, employee assistance programme
• Generous annual leave plus (25 days starting as a standard plus floating bank holidays)
• Flexible working

To apply for this role please click the link below, best of luck with your applications!

The Institute of Physics is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes and celebrates diversity.