HR & Training Advisor (on- site across two locations)

Are you a proactive, organised and detail orientated HR & Training Advisor with experience of delivering a positive employee experience across a range of people processes and projects?  Would you thrive working as part of a busy, challenging and forward-thinking transport company, if so, read on…

The HR and Training Advisor is important for the day-to-day functioning of the HR department, taking an advisory role on best practices for recruitment and retention of staff as well as general HR services.

Your role is to advise both employers and Line Management on the recruitment of new staff and retention of existing employees. You will generally be involved in helping hiring managers with their interview techniques and writing job descriptions, as well as researching performance evaluation methods and designing company policies.

Tram Operations Limited (TOL) is looking for a passionate HR and Training Advisor to make a meaningful impact in our organisation by providing performance management and HR, as well as learning and development support, to staff and stakeholders. This role will report to the HR & Organisational Manager and is key to ensuring smooth and effective HR operations.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in HR and Training Advisor roles, showcasing proactivity, organisational skills and getting the basics right, first time. You will play a crucial role in ensuring our colleagues are engaged and fully trained to deliver our goals.

You will provide support to the HR and Organisational Manager and the Management Team for managing around 300 staff across Tram Operations Limited (TOL) and First London Cableway (FLC), overseeing various organisational priorities.

You will take responsibility as the first port of call for all recruitment aspects in the organisation, including advising line managers and managing the onboarding process.

You may also be involved in managing employee relations and performance management. As such, you may be responsible for anything to do with HR, ensuring policies are consistent and HR queries are dealt with promptly and reliably.

Typical Responsibilities - include but are not limited to:

• Providing professional HR advice and support to the business with an understanding of all HR local and Group policies and procedures.
• Ensure employment lifecycle information is current, e.g. contracts, development reviews and job descriptions.
• Advising managers on recruitment and selection strategies to ensure all vacancies are filled promptly with quality candidates.
• Training hiring managers on candidate interview evaluation techniques.
• Working with our FirstGroup colleagues assisting with and developing recruitment campaigns. Including coordinating the appointment process for successful applicants.
• Ensure new starter/ mover/ leaver documentation is actioned accordingly and in a timely manner.
• Monitoring key recruitment metrics, such as turnover and retention rates.
• Identifying, managing and delivering training and development for colleagues.
• Providing advice and playing a major role in work reviews and change processes.
• Supporting the People & Organisational Manager with various capability investigations, including grievance and disciplinary
• Using HR information systems to access, input and compile data.
• Identifying development needs for colleagues and supporting with Training
• Managing staff relationships, responding to any queries or problems that they have and managing their expectations.
• Working with managers and leaders to deliver talent management, including succession planning.
• Engaging with managers and leaders to improve performance.

You will also be involved in delivering key projects such as:

• Surveys and action plans
• New HRIS – Workday
• Refresh and update policies and procedures.

Person Specification for the HR & Training Advisor:

Interpersonal skills are the most vital for skills for an HR & Training Advisor to possess as you will have to work with a number of people at different levels across the business. Alongside a strong knowledge of HR systems, soft skills such as self-confidence and being persuasive are also important in this people-focused role.

The following qualities and skills are integral:

• CIPD or equivalent experience 
• Organisational and administrative skills 
• Proven work experience as an HR & Training Advisor.
• Knowledge of employment legislation.
• Ability to advise and work with senior members of staff.
• Hands-on experience with IT programmes and HR systems 
• Knowledge of employment legislation
• Personable with strong communication and relationship building capabilities across all levels of the business.
• Ability to design clear and fair company policies.
• Driven, determined with a “can do” attitude.
• Practical and logical; able to solve problems quickly.
• Good attention to detail
• Experience of relationship building with managers and supervisors
• Strong Microsoft Office suite skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills

In your application form we'd like you to provide the following:

• A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, including details where applicable of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A cover letter including a Statement of Suitability (no more than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification

Our Organisations

Tram Operations Limited

Tram Operations is a FirstGroup subsidiary that operates a contract for Transport for London. With over 20 million passenger journeys a year, London Trams has some of the busiest routes in the country, operating over 4,800 services each week across the tramway.

Providing inter-urban, cross-borough services to passengers in Southwest London, between Wimbledon and New Addington, Beckenham Junction and Elmers End to Croydon. London Trams provides excellent connectivity with the National Rail stations in the region, such as East Croydon, Wimbledon, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction to name a few.

As well as commuters and business travellers, we transport leisure travellers across London, to many tourist and heritage sites, and to numerous major sporting and social events that take place along the route every year. Providing easy and convenient mobility, where all the tram stops on the tramway have step-free access, improving quality of life by connecting people and communities, of which we are proud to serve.

First London CableWay

First London Cableway is a new subsidiary within FirstGroup and took over the operation of the IFS Cloud Cable Car in June 2024. The team operate one of London's most popular visitor attraction's welcoming over 1.5m guests a year, on behalf of the client Transport for London. The attraction in East London takes guests on a journey 90 meters above the Thames, connecting The O2 Arena with Royal Victoria Docks.

Our team play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and safe experience, helping guests with purchasing tickets, providing information about the ride, and sharing local insights. They're here to create a welcoming experience, prioritising safety and enhancing the journey with local knowledge and helpful service. The team also deliver a number of seasonal events throughout the year, premium experiences and operate the London Cable Car Experience and Café.