People Officer

The Institute of Physics (IOP) exists to help physics and the people behind it realise their potential for our lives, our society and our planet.

Working alongside our members and leaders from across the physics community and beyond, we’ve identified three priorities that will shape our work over the next five years: Skills, Science and Society. These priorities sit at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud of our ambitious and forward‑looking 2024–2029 strategy. You can find out more about our priorities and principles by clicking here.

We’re currently looking for a People Officer on a permanent basis, to help us deliver our mission.

What’s it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package.

Some of our benefits include:

• An excellent pension scheme
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, dental insurance and a healthcare cash plan
• Eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards and access to an employee assistance programme
• 25 days’ annual leave as a standard, in addition to floating bank holidays
• Flexible working opportunities

The Role

What will I be doing?

You’ll be responsible for a range of activities, including:

• Maintaining and updating the full suite of personnel records for staff
• The timely and accurate generation and issue of employment contracts/amendment to terms and associated paperwork
• Overseeing the quality of data held within the HR system and other HR software and offer guidance to users of the systems and administrative support
• Preparing and accurately entering all monthly salary information on to the HR system
• Recruitment support for all Institute vacancies and managing the recruitment process
• Overseeing the probation and induction process for new starters and to conduct new starter induction sessions
• Developing new, and streamline existing administrative processes and procedures
• Generating system reports as and when required

About You...

The role is ideal for someone with good generalist HR experience and up to date knowledge and understanding of key HR legislation and HR systems.

We are looking for an organised and dependable individual who has a proven ability to work with within a small team, and who can communicate effectively with a wide range of people both in written and oral form.

Proven experience of accurate data entry and monthly payroll processes is essential along with previous experience of effectively following administrative processes.

Who will I work with?

• Internally, the role works across all departments as well as IOP Publishing HR and Finance
• Externally, the role works with recruitment agencies and other relevant organisations

Ideally, we at the IOP hope you’ll apply if your skills include:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of preparing and monitoring accurate contractual information and other essential HR documentation
• Experience of supporting the monthly payroll function
• Experience working in a busy and varied role in a fast paced environment, autonomously
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
• Absolute attention to detail
• Basic level HR qualification
• Experience using HR systems, ideally iTrent (Electric Theme)

At the IOP, we know that great candidates don’t always tick every box. If your experience looks a little different, but you bring enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

Alongside your CV, please include a cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification.

How will I be working?

We operate a flexible, trust‑based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in‑person collaboration. You will be assigned a base office, with hybrid working offered as standard.

You will engage in regular in‑person collaboration with your team (as operational appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working.

As an organization we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London. 

Why join the IOP?

The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. As a charity, we’re passionate about increasing public understanding of physics and supporting a diverse and inclusive physics community. There’s never been a better time to join us, watch our film to find out more about the difference we make.

We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help.

Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.