Lead HR Officer
£42,813 plus benefits
Full-time
Fixed-term contract to April 2026 (maternity cover)
Hybrid working, with one day per week at our London office
This is an exciting time for the WI, as we are planning the next stages of our strategy and building on our strategic vision to be bold and inspiring, growing and relevant, flexible and inclusive. We are proud to say that we continue to be the largest and most influential UK-based women’s organisation, with over 180,000 members. Our campaigns push for change on the issues that matter to women and their communities, and we have been a powerful voice throughout our 108 year history on issues from equal pay for women to protecting the environment from pollution. Today we continue to support and empower women to campaign to tackle climate change, to raise awareness of mental health, ADHD and Autism and to end violence against women. The WI has a track record of achieving real change on a huge range of issues, and this record of action shows that we are as relevant today as we were in 1915 when we began.
As a staff team, our strength is in trusting and engaging each other. We champion flexibility and inclusion, having implemented a bold hybrid model that supports a good work life balance and wellbeing, whilst at the same time allows the charity to flourish and do our best for our members.
About the Lead HR Officer role
In this generalist role, you will focus on the recruitment and retention of talented staff by helping to foster a positive, inclusive and empowering working environment that shapes our organisational culture. You will play an integral part in shaping policies, championing best practice, managing employee relations and leading mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
As Lead HR Officer you will have both a strategic and operational focus, from incorporating EDI into our practices to providing specialist support and expertise in areas such as recruitment, performance management and employee relations. This role is also responsible for the line management of the HR Coordinator, and you will at times deputise for the Director of People and Culture at HR Group and Board of Trustee meetings.
About you
Qualified to CIPD level 5 and experienced in busy HR environments, you should be adept at providing advice and support, skilled in reviewing and developing policy, and familiar with leading wellbeing activities and other HR projects to successful conclusions.
Exposure to HR systems and databases such as NaturalHR and external resources including HR-inform would be beneficial, as would knowledge of payroll management, experience of standing in for more senior managers and a Mental Health First aid qualification. You should be passionate about the WI’s mission to transform women’s lives as well as a true ambassador for diversity, with outstanding problem-solving skills and a confident yet sensitive approach to delivering change.
How to apply
For further information about this role, please download the recruitment pack which includes the job description and person specification.
To apply, please submit your current CV with a covering letter clearly explaining why you would be suitable for the role to the HR department at HR@nfwi.org.uk
Closing date: 2 March 2025
First and second-round interviews: w/c 10 March 2025
No other media or agencies, please.
The WI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and values diversity. Reg. Charity No. 803793.