Human Resource Consultant

at  Heriot Watt University

An opportunity has arisen for a full time HR Consultant to join our HR Directorate, delivering a co-ordinated, effective and efficient HR advice and support service aligned to business needs.
Salary: Grade 7 (£36,924 - £46,485, rising in Marc 2025 to £37,174 - £46,735)
Full time, Open Ended
33 days of annual leave and 9 buildings closed days.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The HR Consultant role is part of the HR Operations team which delivers a co-ordinated, effective and efficient HR advice and support service aligned to business needs. This is an additional role in our team responding to business demands.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made:

Essential

• Educated to first degree level OR equivalent OR equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
• Associate member of CIPD OR equivalent relevant professional membership OR relevant experience
• Proven hands on HR Practitioner experience which will be been acquired over a number of years, with a basic understanding of the relevant theory.
• Good knowledge and understanding of relevant legal, statutory and governance applications and turning them into good practice.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and presentation skills, able to understand and communicate complex issues effectively.
• Experience of working closely with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• High level organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment.

Desirable

• Coaching and/or facilitation skills and practical experience.
• Experience of HR Data analytics
• Experience of using SAP / Oracle, or similar ERP system.
• Ability to research, analyse and present complex information effectively with good attention to detail.

• Coach, develop and advise line managers to enable and enhance their people and teams to deliver effective performance.
• Provide timely, professional HR advice and support to managers of Professional Services Directorates and Academic Schools within the portfolio for this role, across a range of employment relations issues including general employment law issues, HWU conditions of service and advice on conduct, grievance and enhancing performance.
• Support managers in handling casework through all stages (early dispute resolution, investigation, hearing and appeal stages), including preparation for employment tribunals and Appeal Board hearings, and liaising with Payroll, the HWU legal advisers, and other external bodies as appropriate.
• Liaise with recognised HWU Trade Union representatives involved in individual cases and with HR Business Partners and/or colleagues within the Reward and Employee Wellbeing and People & Organisational Development Teams to deliver a joined up service to managers
• Support HR Business Partners in delivering change management programmes
• Support HR Partners in delivering bespoke HR solutions to allocated areas, delivering briefings and training sessions as appropriate.
• Carry out Job evaluations (training provided).

Contribute to the development and review of HR policies, procedures and guidance, including Equality and Privacy Impact Assessments, addressing the University

• ‘s strategic objectives and values, delivering good practice and compliance.
• Ensure all case management and other relevant logs are kept up to date to enable appropriate MI and FOI reports to be produced. Work with colleagues to produce and present relevant staff data to managers.
• Be an active participant in project work, leading on specific agreed work packages.