HR Operations Specialist

One-year fixed term contract

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your knowledge of human resources best practices? The Open Society Human Resources team is seeking an HR Operations Specialist to provide confidential HR, administrative, and technical support for the Head of HR Operations in London.

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to feedback, whose laws and policies are open to debate and correction, and whose political institutions are open to the participation of all people. We seek to strengthen justice and the rule of law; broaden respect for human rights, including the rights of underrepresented groups; encourage pluralism and a robust diversity of opinion; deepen democratic practice and participation; expand economic equity; support effective governance; and invest in individuals, public and private organisations, and social movements that advance these goals.

The Human Resources (HR) team, comprised of 40+ members, sits in our Berlin, New York, and London offices and supports OSF staff across the global network of foundations in over 40 countries. The team is comprised of generalists spanning the North America, Latin America, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, Africa, South West Asia, and Asia Pacific regions, as well as HR specialists comprised of Talent Development, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), Compensation & Benefits, Diversity and Inclusion, and Recruitment.

As the HR Operations Specialist at Open Society, you will:

• Support the whole employee lifecycle from onboarding to offboarding, including contract management, visa support, and data analytics in our HRIS system Workday.
• Carry out significant administrative functions, such as meeting coordination, calendar management, invoice processing, maintaining accurate employee files and records, including confidential materials, and responding to general employee queries.
• Provide employee communication with setting up workshops, brown bags and townhalls, including but not limited to scheduling, preparing materials, confirming attendees, and follow-up communication.
• Provide project management support as needed.
• Take meeting minutes, synthesise information, and provide summary reports.
• Collect data and gather information to help inform decisions.

We are looking for:

• 3–5 years of relevant HR experience.
• Basic knowledge of HR and Payroll and UK employment laws, regulations, and practices.
• Experience with supporting Employee Relations cases such as disciplinaries and grievances.
• Experience with HR-specific software/systems and the ability to learn new software applications.
• Quality orientation and attention to detail, particularly when issuing/drafting legal documents, e.g., employment contracts, grievance responses, etc.
• Experience working with Workday HRIS system preferred.
• A commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and social justice.
• A commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace.

What we offer:

• Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and brown-bag lunches with visiting experts.
• Top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work/life balance. With some variability according to location, this includes generous time off, flexible work arrangements, employer-paid health insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more.
• A commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and a CV; we look forward to learning more about you.

Closing date: 17 October 2021.

We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.