656 Jobs in South East

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic HR Assistant to join our friendly, fast-paced team on a 12-month fixed-term contract (working full time, 37 hours per week).

As part of a busy shared HR service supporting both Maidstone and Swale Borough Councils, you’ll play a vital role in keeping our people processes running smoothly.

You’ll provide comprehensive administrative support across a wide range of HR activities, helping to ensure efficient, accurate, and timely delivery of key services.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is highly organised, detail-oriented, and keen to develop their career in HR within a collaborative and supportive environment.

We offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements; however, regular office attendance and availability at key times are essential to support the needs of the service and ensure effective team collaboration

The main responsibilities for this role include-

• Data input into the HR system iTrent for payroll, recruitment, sickness etc. and the production of correspondence – letters, contracts etc.
• Arranging interviews and overseeing the interview process (meet and greet, testing) in Maidstone and Swale offices
• Co-ordinating learning and development events
• ‘Meet and Greet’ and closedown of training events in Maidstone and Swale offices.
• Completing new starter inductions
• Filing – electronic (iTrent and Anite) and manual – to ensure that HR and Payroll information is stored securely and systematically
• Responding to questions and queries from members of staff and managers relating to HR
• Checking, processing and recording invoices

About Maidstone Borough Council

Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans.

We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.

At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.

Our Offer:

A range of benefits including:

• Highly flexible hybrid working opportunities
• 7am to 7pm flexi time to suit personal circumstances for most roles
• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
• Free parking
• Range of flexible working opportunities to accommodate people’s home/work life balance including compressed hours, 9-day fortnight, part time.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role

About You:

You will be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent) and have some experience working within an HR or payroll environment. You will be confident using Microsoft applications and have experience working with integrated HR/payroll systems.

You will be well organised and methodical, with strong attention to detail, and demonstrate a caring approach in all aspects of your work. You will treat colleagues with respect, valuing diversity and contributing to a positive and inclusive working environment.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism. You will be motivated to develop and grow within your role and committed to making a positive difference through the support you provide to colleagues and the organisation.

Selection Process:

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

The Council considers that all roles should be able to communicate clearly and concisely.

The Council considers this to be a customer focused role and the ability to converse at ease with customers adapting communication style to suit differing audiences and provide advice in accurate spoken English is fundamental to the role.

Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

For further information or to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Kirsty Fleming 01622 602004.

Interview Date: Monday 17th August 2026