HR Generalist

Salary: £40,000 per annum (pro rata)
Hours: 20–25 hours per week (ideally across 5 days; some flexibility considered)
Location: Dagenham (on‑site) with weekly travel to Hornchurch
Contract: Part‑time, permanent
Requirements: CIPD Level 3 (essential)

Who We Are

Harmony House Dagenham CIO is a long‑standing community charity supporting vulnerable residents across the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham and Havering. Established in 1993, we run three nurseries serving over 200 families (Dagenham, Castle Green, and Hornchurch) and deliver a wide range of community projects aimed at reducing social isolation and empowering people of all ages to live with independence, purpose and joy.

We are proud to be a trusted, warm and inclusive community hub, supporting children, families, the elderly and those facing disadvantage.

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and people‑focused HR Generalist to oversee HR operations across our nurseries and community programmes. This is a hands‑on generalist role, ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with staff (70+), supporting managers, and helping to shape a positive and consistent people culture.

You will play a key role in ensuring our HR practices are effective, compliant and aligned with our values.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations

• Manage the full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, training, performance reviews and exit processes.
• Maintain accurate HR systems, staff files and records.

Compliance & Best Practice

• Ensure safer recruitment processes across all nursery settings.
• Work with managers to maintain compliance with safeguarding, employment law and internal policies.

Employee Relations & Support

• Provide clear, supportive advice to managers and staff on HR policies, performance, wellbeing and conduct.
• Manage absence reporting, return‑to‑work procedures and occupational health referrals where needed.

Culture & Workforce Development

• Support senior management with workforce planning and staff engagement.
• Coordinate training requirements, mandatory updates and professional development.

Person Specification

Essential

• CIPD Level 3 qualification
• Experience in a generalist HR role
• Strong understanding of UK employment law
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work autonomously and sensitively with confidential information
• Positive, supportive approach to working with staff at all levels

Desirable

• Experience in early years, education or charity settings
• Knowledge of safer recruitment practices

Working Pattern

• 20–25 hours per week
• Ideally worked across 5 days, but flexibility considered
• Fully on‑site across our Dagenham locations
• Weekly travel to Hornchurch required (travel requests communicated with notice)

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata) with additional leave gifted to all staff during the December festive period
• Enhanced and statutory sick pay arrangements
• Pension scheme (standard eligibility under auto‑enrolment)
• Strong organisational policies promoting equality, safeguarding, respect and dignity at work
• Clear grievance, disciplinary and whistleblowing procedures ensuring a fair and safe environment
• Supportive team culture within a highly respected community charity

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a short cover letter explaining your HR experience and why you would like to join Harmony House.