Job DescriptionThe Company
Based in South-West London, Caroline Gardner Publishing is a leading supplier of cards, stationery, and stylish home and gifting products, catering to design-focused retailers worldwide. From high street brands and department stores to independent galleries, our products find a home in a diverse range of retail spaces.
With a successful boutique on London’s Marylebone High Street and a vibrant ecommerce platform, Caroline Gardner’s unique blend of quirky and sophisticated designs is also available directly to consumers. Our brand enjoys a strong, loyal following and is both instantly recognisable and highly sought after by a wide array of customers. We’re excited to continue expanding into new product areas with ambitious growth plans on the horizon.
Celebrating 30 years in 2023, Caroline Gardner is a British brand known for its commitment to high-quality products and exceptional customer service. We are deeply conscious of our environmental and community impact, focusing on creating timeless, substantial designs that resonate with modern life rather than fleeting trends.
As part of our dedication to social and environmental responsibility, we have embarked on a continuous improvement journey and are working towards becoming a fully accredited B-Corp by the end of 2024.
Caroline Gardner is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age.
The Role
Working closely with the Head of Resourcing, the Directors and other Heads of Department as well as our external HR Consultant, you will undertake a variety of duties, including but not limited to:
HR Administration:
- Provide guidance and support on HR policies and procedures.
- Support the development and implementation of new HR initiatives and systems.
- Be actively involved in the entire recruitment process, from preparing job descriptions, posting ads, filtering CVs, arranging and conducting interviews, and issuing contracts to ensure high quality candidates are recruited in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Create and implement effective onboarding procedures for all new hires, including receipt of completed HR and Right to Work documentation and Induction Programme.
- Maintain employee records to ensure full compliance with employment legislation.
- Oversee timely and effective probationary and appraisal processes.
- Support the handling of disciplinary and grievance issues.
- Monitor absences (e.g. holidays, sickness, family-related etc) and support managers on absence management procedures.
- Ensure all new starters and leavers are processed in a timely manner on all HR and payroll systems.
- Ensure that all relevant payroll documents are processed in a timely manner each month.
- Undertake exit interviews, ensuring they are analysed and feedback to the MD on any key issues.
- Keep up to date with the latest Human Resources developments
- Manage general HR queries voiced by management and team members
- Create and administer training and development programme and maintain this budget with Heads of Departments.
- Prepare staff inputs (eg: new starters, leavers, contracts and amendments, letters, benefits)
- Manage employee data and documents in HR software
- Assist FC/MD in annual employee benefits renewals eg: GLA, pensions, healthcare.
- Encourage line managers to foster an inclusive environment by actively supporting staff mental health through regular check-ins, promoting Employee Assistance Programs, and ensuring equitable access to resources and support.
Office Management:
- General office administration - assisting with the running of the office (ordering office supplies and consumables, being the main point of contact for the building management) booking travel for employees, creating and sending out the internal employee communications.
- Organise monthly team breakfast.
- Provide support with the coordination and organisation of team member events and meetings.
- Organise meeting rooms and help with organising maintenance when required.
- Provide support to the Directors and Heads of Department, where required.
- Keep office organised and ensure that it is tidy at all times.
- Ensure accurate records kept of office and shop contracts and that SLAs are being met (I.e. cleaning, photocopying, post, service charge, utilities etc.)
The Person
Successful candidates must have:
- A degree or higher national diploma (HND)
- At least two year’s proven experience as an HR officer, administrator or other HR position
- The CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (as a minimum) - ideally aims to study or is studying towards CIPD level 5 (the next stage after foundation level 3)
- Basic understanding of UK employment legislation
- Proficient in MS Office; knowledge of HRMS would be an advantage
- Numeracy and analytical skills
- Outstanding organisational and time-management skills
- High level of attention to detail
- Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
- An ability to work independently and to deadlines
- Problem-solving and decision-making aptitude, with a can-do approach
- Strong ethics and reliability
- An ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive information with discretion
Remuneration and Benefits
Salary banding: £32,000 - £37,000
Benefits:
- Study support
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Hybrid working
- 23+1 days annual leave, long service extra holiday days