We are delighted to offer an opportunity for a People Services (HR) Assistant to join our creative, ambitious, and inclusive People Services Advice team at the University.
This role sits within a fast-paced, friendly, and values-driven environment. As part of a collaborative team, you will work closely with colleagues across the service to provide a comprehensive and proactive service to members of the University Staff Community.
Our People Services Assistants are the first point of contact for queries and guidance relating to People Services policy and processes. Supporting a large and diverse staff population, you will triage, manage and progress staff-related enquiries and issues received through a range of channels, resolving them where possible or signposting and escalating as appropriate
This role combines people focused customer services with HR administration responsibilities. On a typical day you may respond to employee or people manager enquiries, process contractual changes, update employee records, follow up fixed-term contract reviews, support visa, compliance or DBS processes and run monthly reports for the team.
About you
You don't need experience in Higher Education or have a university background to succeed in this role. We are looking for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where customer service, responsiveness and accuracy are equally important.
You will be confident using technology and are familiar with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel, as well as collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint. Experience of enquiry management systems, such as Ivanti, would be advantageous.
You will have experience of working effectively within a busy team, resolving enquiries from a range of sources. Teamwork is at the heart of how we work, and you will be part of a supportive and collaborative team that shares knowledge, solves problems and delivers a consistent, high-quality service. A natural curiosity and desire to learn will help you develop your knowledge, understand the wider context behind the processes you support and contribute positively to both team success and continuous improvement. You will be someone who enjoys supporting colleagues, sharing expertise and learning from those around you.
As part of a large HR department, you will understand the importance of confidentiality and be a positive communicator who can build effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders.
You will have exceptional attention to detail, take pride in maintaining accurate records and data, and look for opportunities to improve processes. You will also be organised and adaptable, capable of managing multiple priorities and meeting challenging deadlines.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys combining customer service with detailed administrative work. If you are early in your HR career, it offers an excellent opportunity to develop expertise across a wide range of People Services processes and, with experience, can provide a pathway into advisory, specialist or management careers within the function.
Where you will be working
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.
In this role, you’ll be based at our Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.
You’ll spend most of your time on campus, typically a minimum of 3 days per week (or 60 percent of your time) with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days subject to business needs.
Why UWE Bristol?
We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.
Add your individuality to ours
UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.
We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.
We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.
As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.
Further information:
If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Rod Emerson, Advisory Services Team Manager, on [email protected]
This is a full time, permanent role, working 37 hours per week. Unfortunately we are unable to offer this role on a part time or job share basis.
This is a frontline support role, and you will take part in a rota providing telephone, online and face-to-face support through our People Services Enquiries Centre. The service operates between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 4:30pm on Fridays, with team members working a flexible rota to ensure appropriate cover throughout these hours.
The role is primarily office-based to support our face-to-face service. Some home working may be available, but colleagues are expected to work on campus regularly as part of the rota.
Interview dates will be confirmed shortly but will take place mid-August at our Frenchay campus.
Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.
If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist. Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Next Steps
We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the individual criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the attached Job Description. Use clear and relevant examples of how you have demonstrated this experience wherever possible.
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
