HR GENERALIST

Maternity Cover | Full-time | Hybrid | Reading | Human Resources

We are looking for an experienced and proactive HR Generalist to join our growing People team at Select Car Leasing on a maternity cover basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys variety, working closely with managers and employees, and taking ownership across the full employee lifecycle. You’ll provide practical, people-focused HR support while also contributing to wider People initiatives, projects and continuous improvement.

Select Car Leasing is the UK’s largest leasing broker, with a nationwide presence, high-profile sporting partnerships and a strong focus on delivering an exceptional customer and employee experience. As our business continues to grow, our People team is developing too, making this an exciting time to join us.

What you’ll be doing:

• Acting as a trusted point of contact for employees and managers on a broad range of HR matters
• Providing practical guidance on HR policies, procedures, employment legislation and best practice
• Supporting and managing employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance and capability cases
• Working closely with managers to provide advice and support through sensitive and challenging people situations
• Supporting recruitment and coordinating onboarding activities to ensure a positive new starter experience
• Supporting induction programmes, probation reviews and wider employee lifecycle activity
• Supporting annual performance reviews, talent initiatives and performance improvement plans
• Contributing to learning and development activities where required
• Maintaining accurate and confidential employee records and HR systems
• Preparing HR documentation, including contracts, offer letters, policy updates and employee communications
• Supporting payroll processes by providing accurate employee information and changes
• Producing HR reports and metrics as required
• Administering employee benefits and supporting salary review and bonus processes where applicable
• Ensuring HR activity remains compliant with UK employment legislation, GDPR and company policies
• Contributing to HR projects, organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identifying opportunities to improve our HR processes and enhance the employee experience
• Supporting the implementation of new HR systems, processes and initiatives

What we’re looking for You’ll be an experienced HR Generalist, or have worked in a similar broad HR role, with strong knowledge across the employee lifecycle and a proven ability to manage HR matters confidently and independently.

You’ll be comfortable working with managers and employees at all levels, able to provide clear and practical advice, and confident using your judgement when dealing with sensitive or complex situations.

We’re looking for someone who is approachable, organised and solutions-focused, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. You’ll be able to manage multiple priorities, work to deadlines and balance day-to-day HR activity with wider People projects.

Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice is essential. CIPD qualified or working towards your qualification is desirable.

This isn’t a role where you’ll simply provide HR administration. You’ll have the opportunity to build trusted relationships across the business, support managers through meaningful people challenges and contribute to a wide range of HR activity. You’ll play an active role in improving our processes, supporting our people and helping shape the employee experience.

What we offer:

• Vitality at Work Scheme
• Opportunity to buy or sell annual leave
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mindfulness coaching
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Birthday and long-service vouchers
• Company and team social events

Hybrid working: This is a hybrid role based at our office in South Reading. The role will initially be more office-based while you complete your training and settle into the team. Once you’re fully established in the role and performing confidently, you’ll move to a hybrid working pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home each week.

If you’re an experienced HR professional looking for a varied Generalist role where you can make a real impact, build strong relationships and contribute across the wider People function, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• Company events
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Experience:

• Human resources: 2 years (required)
• managing employee relations: 2 years (required)
• UK Employment Law: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Reading RG2 0TD