Reed HR are working alongside a large Not for Profit Organisation based in Central London who are recruiting for an experienced HR Policy Officer on a permanent basis.
JOB SUMMARY
The HR Policy Officer will lead a strategic and detailed review of all internal HR policies, the staff handbook, and their interaction with contractual terms of employment, ensuring alignment, legal compliance, and clarity. Policies must not only reflect organisational values and ethos but also be contractually robust and fit for purpose in a modern, unionised environment.
This role is both project-based and ongoing business as usual:
- In the immediate term it involves a comprehensive, detailed, policy evaluation and update.
- In the longer term, it includes ongoing review, revision, and negotiation of HR policies in line with legal developments, case law, and evolving organisational needs.
The postholder will be responsible for drafting and revising policies, advising on employment law implications, and leading discussions and consultation with our internal trade unions on any proposed changes.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Review & Development
- Lead a full and systematic review of all staff-related policies and the staff handbook.
- Draft and maintain HR policies, handbook provisions, and contractual clauses that are clear, consistent in style, structure, and tone, reflect organisational values, comply with law and best practice, and are updated ahead of legal changes.
- Develop and implement a structured policy management framework, including version control and review cycles.
- Advise HR colleagues on emerging employment law and workforce trends, shaping long-term policy strategy.
Policy Implementation & Communication
- Work with HR & L&D colleagues to ensure effective rollout and practical application of policies across the organisation.
- Provide expert guidance to staff and managers on the contractual and policy framework in live employment situations, including formal processes, ensuring that contractual rights, handbook provisions, and policies are consistently interpreted and applied.
Policy Governance & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain an up-to-date and accessible policy library on SharePoint.
- Establish and manage a rolling schedule of policy review and renewal.
- Seek and incorporate feedback from staff, and managers on policy usability and effectiveness.
- Ensure alignment of policies with equality, diversity, and inclusion principles and legal obligations.
Experience/knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of UK employment law, including evolving law and case law, with direct experience of applying this to contracts of employment, handbooks, and HR policies ideally in a unionised context.
- Proven ability to draft, negotiate, and implement inclusive, legally robust policies that support organisational objectives, and to interpret complex legal requirements into practical guidance for managers and staff.
Skills/abilities
- Ability to create a positive workplace culture that promotes respect, well-being, and professional development.
- Strong ability to manage multiple priorities within agreed timeframes.
- Ability to drive HR change initiatives and support staff and managers in adapting to new contractual or policy frameworks, while managing legal and industrial relations risks.
