HR Officer in Folkestone, Kent

HR Officer – Temporary to Permanent

Location: Folkestone, Kent
Hours: 37 hours per week

Are you an organised HR administrator looking for your next career move?

We’re recruiting an HR Officer on behalf of our client in Folkestone. This temporary-to-permanent opportunity offers a varied role supporting the employee lifecycle, working closely with the Senior HR Business Partner and wider HR team.

You’ll be a key contact for employees and managers, keeping HR processes running smoothly and providing an accurate, professional and responsive service.

The role

• Prepare contractual changes, formal correspondence and employee documentation, updating systems and notifying payroll.

• Maintain accurate HR and payroll records, personnel files and organisational charts.

• Record and monitor absence, following up with managers on medical certificates, return-to-work forms and outstanding actions.

• Manage the HR inbox independently, responding to queries and escalating matters appropriately.

• Support pension administration, employment references, payroll claims and compliance checks.

• Track employment checks, DBS renewals, appraisal returns and declarations, highlighting concerns to HR Business Partners.

• Take accurate minutes at formal meetings and assist with reporting, purchase orders and invoices.

• Help maintain HR guidance, forms and intranet content, and support departmental projects.

About you

You’ll have recent experience in an HR-related role or carrying out HR duties, alongside experience in a customer-focused administrative environment. You’ll understand the importance of confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Excellent organisation skills and the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail and confident written and verbal communication.

• Good Microsoft Office skills.

• A professional, approachable manner and the ability to build relationships at all levels.

• Confidence working independently and collaboratively.

• GCSEs in English and Maths at grades A–C/9–4, or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.

A CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, or progress towards it, would be beneficial, as would experience using HR/payroll systems or working in local government. These are desirable rather than essential.

What’s on offer

A varied HR opportunity within a collaborative team, hybrid working and the potential to progress into permanent employment.