Are you an experienced HR Operations professional who enjoys creating structure, improving processes and bringing people along on a journey of change?

At Syme Drummond, we're delighted to be partnering with William Grant & Sons, a globally recognised, family-owned business, to recruit an HR Administration Team Leader into their evolving HR Operations function.

This newly created role offers a genuine opportunity to shape a developing HR shared services model, bringing greater consistency, efficiency and innovation to the way HR services are delivered.

We're looking for someone who sees the bigger picture, isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves and has the confidence to turn ideas into meaningful, lasting improvements.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of HR Operations, you'll lead an experienced HR Administration team while helping to build the foundations of a scalable, high-performing shared services function.

Balancing day-to-day operations with transformation and continuous improvement, you'll have the autonomy to influence processes, systems and service delivery.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing the HR Administration team through evolving ways of working.
• Overseeing accurate, efficient and compliant HR administration across the employee lifecycle.
• Standardising processes, documentation and service standards to improve consistency and quality.
• Optimising HR systems, including SAP SuccessFactors, to strengthen workflows, data integrity and efficiency.
• Driving continuous improvement, automation and reporting initiatives.
• Building strong stakeholder relationships and supporting the development of a scalable HR shared services model.

About You

We're looking for someone who enjoys building, improving and making things happen.

You'll bring strong HR operations experience, ideally within a shared services or similarly structured environment, alongside a thorough understanding of employee lifecycle administration.

You'll be comfortable navigating change, creating structure where it doesn't yet exist and bringing an established team along on that journey.

You'll also demonstrate:

• Proven people leadership skills, with the ability to coach, motivate and develop others.
• Experience improving HR processes, systems and operational efficiency.
• Strong HR systems knowledge, with SAP SuccessFactors experience advantageous.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, balancing operational priorities with improvement initiatives.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to influence stakeholders and work independently.

Above all, you'll be approachable, collaborative and passionate about delivering an excellent HR service.

Why William Grant & Sons?

You'll join a globally recognised organisation at an exciting stage of its HR transformation, with the opportunity to make a genuine impact and shape how services evolve.

Alongside an experienced team and supportive leadership, you'll benefit from an attractive package including pension contributions, private healthcare, an annual bonus opportunity and enhanced life assurance.

The challenge is that the service isn't fully built yet. The opportunity is that you'll help shape what it becomes.

If you're an HR Operations professional who enjoys leading people, driving improvement and making a tangible difference, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation, please contact Kelsie at Syme Drummond – Kelsie.Patterson@symedrummond.co.uk.

HR Advisor

Wheatley Group | Glasgow | £52,176 – £56,270 DOE

Permanent | 35 hours per week | Flexible hybrid working

At Syme Drummond, we're delighted to be exclusively partnering with Wheatley Group, Scotland's leading housing, care and property management group, to recruit an experienced HR Advisor who brings the right balance of technical expertise, sound judgement and genuine human connection. Because great HR isn't just about knowing the policies, processes and legislation. It's about understanding people.

We're looking for someone who's down-to-earth, approachable and grounded. Someone who rolls up their sleeves, builds relationships naturally and treats people with fairness, compassion and respect.

But don't mistake that warmth for a lack of professional strength. This role calls for real employee relations expertise, confidence in navigating complex situations and the ability to provide clear, credible advice when it matters most.

Wheatley is an organisation with a strong social purpose, united by its mission of Making Homes and Lives Better. We're looking for someone who genuinely connects with that purpose and understands that behind every policy, process and decision is a person. In short, someone who knows their stuff, cares about people and isn't afraid to get stuck in.

The Opportunity

Joining Wheatley's established People Services function, you'll play an influential, hands-on role in supporting managers and leaders across a large, operationally complex and unionised organisation.

This isn't an HR role where you simply advise from the sidelines. You'll be trusted to get involved, challenge where needed and take genuine ownership of driving the right outcomes.

With a significant focus on employee and industrial relations, you'll manage a varied and often demanding caseload, navigating sensitive situations while balancing organisational priorities with fairness, empathy and sound judgement.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Independently managing complex employee relations cases from start to finish, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and dismissal matters.
• Providing confident, legally sound advice and constructive challenge to managers and senior leaders.
• Working effectively with recognised trade unions, building positive relationships and navigating complex employee relations matters.
• Taking a proactive approach to attendance management, identifying trends, addressing underlying issues and supporting sustainable improvements.
• Coaching managers to strengthen their confidence and capability in handling people matters.
• Contributing to organisational change, workforce planning, policy development and wider HR improvement initiatives.

About You

We're looking for someone with real substance, both professionally and personally.

You'll be an experienced HR professional with a strong generalist background and substantial hands-on experience of managing complex employee relations cases. You'll be comfortable taking ownership, making difficult decisions and navigating challenging conversations with confidence and sensitivity.

Experience within a unionised environment is particularly important, alongside an understanding of the complexities of supporting large, operational workforces.

We'd be particularly interested in hearing from applicant’s with experience in housing, public services, transport, manufacturing, engineering or similarly complex, unionised environments. Ultimately, it's the depth of your experience, rather than your sector alone, that matters.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience independently managing complex, high-volume ER casework through to resolution.
• Confidence working with trade unions and influencing managers at all levels.
• Strong employment law knowledge, sound judgement and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach.
• The resilience and organisational skills to manage competing priorities in a busy operational environment.
• A genuine, grounded and approachable nature, with the ability to build trust and meaningful relationships.
• Emotional intelligence, integrity and the confidence to challenge constructively while treating people with compassion and respect.

You'll also be CIPD accredited or working towards accreditation.

Above all, you'll be someone who genuinely cares, takes pride in doing a good job and understands that how you treat people matters just as much as the advice you give.

Why Wheatley?

This is an opportunity to bring your HR expertise into an organisation where people and purpose genuinely matter, and where HR is trusted to influence decisions and make a tangible difference.

You'll join a collaborative and experienced team, with the opportunity to take real ownership of your work while benefiting from the support of a wider HR function. Because great HR isn't just about getting the process right. It's about having the confidence to make difficult decisions, the compassion to understand their impact and the integrity to do the right thing.

If you're an experienced generalist who thrives on complex employee relations, enjoys being close to the business and brings a genuinely human approach to your work, we'd love to hear from you! For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Kelsie at Syme Drummond – Kelsie.Patterson@symedrummond.co.uk.

People Services Adviser

3-Month Fixed-Term Contract | Full-Time | Hybrid Working | Glasgow | Immediate Start

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys variety, solving problems and making a meaningful contribution in a fast-paced environment?

We’re partnering with a well-established Glasgow-based organisation to recruit a People Services Adviser on a three-month fixed-term contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident HR generalist to join a busy People Services team and contribute to a range of important HR activities.

With a collaborative team around you and scope to get involved in varied work, this role would suit someone who can hit the ground running, use their initiative, be proactive and bring sound HR judgement to complex situations.

The Role

Working alongside an experienced People Services team, you’ll provide practical HR support across organisational change and wider people-related activities. The role offers variety and requires someone who can balance attention to detail with the confidence to question, advise and identify solutions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, reviewing and checking HR documentation, ensuring accuracy, consistency and appropriate HR practice.
• Supporting employee relations matters of varying complexity, providing appropriate HR guidance and helping ensure issues are managed fairly and in line with HR policies and procedures.
• Providing advice and practical support on a range of HR matters as priorities evolve.
• Supporting managers and colleagues with people-related queries and processes.
• Supporting organisational change activities, including employee consultation and associated follow-up work.
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring documentation and follow-up actions are completed effectively.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to manage competing priorities and keep activities moving forward.

About You

You’ll be a knowledgeable and proactive HR professional who is comfortable working independently while contributing positively to a wider team.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Strong HR generalist knowledge and a sound understanding of HR processes and employee-related matters.
• Experience supporting employee relations matters, with the confidence to apply sound HR judgement, handle sensitive situations professionally and recognise when more complex issues require escalation
• Experience supporting organisational change or working within a busy, fast-paced HR environment.
• The confidence to review documentation, identify potential issues and apply sound HR judgement.
• A flexible, hands-on approach, with the ability to adapt as business needs change.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to work at pace.
• A proactive mindset, using your initiative to identify what needs doing and take ownership of tasks.

We’re interested in individuals with the right HR foundations, judgement and attitude, rather than someone whose experience fits a narrow job description.

What’s on Offer?

• Three-month fixed-term contract
• Hybrid working, with flexibility around working arrangements and an expectation of ideally two days per week on campus.
• Reasonable flexibility around working hours.
• The opportunity to gain valuable experience supporting organisational change and broader HR activity.
• A collaborative People Services team and a varied role where your contribution will make a difference.
• Access to an on-site gym.

Salary: Up to £45,000.00, depending on experience.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced HR Adviser or generalist looking for a varied, short-term opportunity where you can make an immediate impact, we’d love to hear from you.

For a confidential conversation or to apply, please reach out to Nikky at Syme Drummond nikky.dinning@symedrummond.co.uk.

Please note: this is an initial three-month contract, and any extension cannot be guaranteed.

Syme Drummond are delighted to working in retained partnership with First Milk to recruit a part-time HR professional at its BV Dairy site in Shaftesbury.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a varied, hands-on HR role within a business that genuinely values its people and local community. With a supportive onboarding experience and the chance to make a real difference, you'll be well placed to build your knowledge, contribute your ideas and make a meaningful impact. As a B Corp organisation, First Milk is part of a global community of businesses committed to balancing purpose with profit and creating a positive impact for people and the planet.

The role offers the benefits of part-time working, with First Milk open to discussing a working pattern that suits both the successful individual and the needs of the business.

Whether you're an experienced HR professional seeking greater work-life balance or ready to take the next step in your career, this could be an exciting opportunity to bring your skills and experience to a business where your contribution truly matters.

The role

You'll work alongside the HR Business Partner to deliver day-to-day HR support, helping managers handle people matters confidently and consistently. Responsibilities will include:

• Providing advice on HR policies, procedures, employment legislation and employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance management.
• Coaching managers to develop their people-management skills, offering practical guidance and constructive challenge where needed.
• Supporting absence management, reviewing trends and working with managers to improve attendance.
• Preparing case-related documentation and maintaining accurate, confidential records.
• Contributing to colleague engagement initiatives, engagement surveys, action planning and employee forums.
• Supporting performance and development reviews, learning activities and manager training.
• Assisting with recruitment, reward and recognition, HR reporting and wider people projects.

The scope of the role will reflect your experience, agreed hours and the needs of the business, with support from the HR Business Partner and wider First Milk HR team.

About you

You'll be a practical, approachable HR professional who enjoys building relationships and helping managers navigate people challenges. You'll be confident communicating with colleagues at all levels, able to manage sensitive matters with discretion and comfortable working in a busy, operational environment.

You'll ideally bring:

• Generalist HR experience and a sound understanding of employment legislation.
• Experience supporting employee relations, including absence, disciplinary, grievance and performance management.
• Strong communication, coaching and relationship-building skills.
• Good organisation, attention to detail and confidence using HR systems and Microsoft Office.
• The ability to interpret HR data and manage competing priorities.

A CIPD qualification, or working towards one, would be desirable, as would experience in manufacturing, FMCG, food or dairy.

The business is also open to applicants currently in HR Assistant or Coordinator roles who have relevant experience and are ready to develop, as well as more experienced professionals seeking a permanent part-time arrangement.

What's on offer?

• Hours: Approximately 16–20 per week, to be agreed.
• Contract: Permanent, site-based.
• Working pattern: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday preferred, but alternative arrangements can be explored.
• Start date: Flexible, with consideration given to notice periods.

Benefits include 34 days' annual holiday inclusive of public holidays (pro rata), 5% employee and 3% employer pension contributions, an annual bonus of up to 3% of salary, life cover at four times salary and a range of colleague discounts and flexible benefits.

If you're looking for a varied HR role offering flexibility, responsibility and the opportunity to build strong working relationships, we'd love to hear from you!

For a confidential conversation or to apply, please reach out to Nikky at Syme Drummond nikky.dinning@symedrummond.co.uk.