HROD Support Officer

Reading Borough Council is seeking a HR & OD Support Officer to support HR and OD functions with efficiency, accuracy, and a commitment to excellent service. This role plays a key part in maintaining HR operations by managing employee records, processing workforce changes, assisting in recruitment and onboarding, and ensuring smooth system support.

 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

 

About the role

 

In this vital position, you will contribute to ensuring smooth HR operations by maintaining accurate employee records, processing workforce changes, and assisting in recruitment and onboarding.

You’ll provide first-line support for HR system queries, contribute to employee engagement activities, and facilitate learning events. Your role will be central to keeping our HR processes running efficiently while providing high-quality support to employees.

 

• Maintain accurate employee records and process workforce changes.
• Support candidate onboarding, including pre-employment checks and payroll setup.
• Provide first-line HR system support and troubleshooting.
• Assist with employee engagement initiatives and corporate induction events.
• Facilitate learning events, ensuring smooth course setup and information transfer.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and relevant legislation.

 

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

 

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About you

 

Previous HR experience is beneficial but not essential. We encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds who bring transferable skills. Most importantly, a strong customer focus and a proactive, positive mindset are key to delivering a consistently excellent experience to our customers.

 

Specific requirements

 

• Strong administrative skills, with experience using databases and client systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information.
• Exceptional customer service and communication skills.
• A proactive, resilient, and adaptable approach to work.
• Basic understanding of HR functions with a willingness to learn.

Our Offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

 

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Louise Farrelly, Onboarding and HROD Support Hub Team Leader at: Louise.Farrelly@reading.gov.uk

 

Closing Date: Sunday 22^nd June 2025   

Interview Date: 5^th and 7^th July 2025

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.