HR & Organisation Development Specialist (Reward Team) - Fixed Term (Maternity Cover)

HR & OD

Grade 4: - £25,844 - £26,663 per annum

Fixed Term - Full Time

Contract Duration: 12 months (Maternity Cover)

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: Hybrid working, 2 days per week in our Boldon House office on the outskirts of Durham city centre

Closing Date: 31-Aug-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. 

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 

The Role and the Department

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a dynamic team, to organise and provide guidance and support on various HR processes. The role will be within a team that provides specialist advice and guidance to managers and other HR colleagues on our pay, reward and recognition arrangements. Whilst some experience in these areas would be helpful, the role is suitable for candidates with other general Human Resources & Organisation Development experience or candidates with highly proficient administrative and analytical skills.

The postholder will provide administrative support for the Reward Team, contributing to annual processes relating to pay and progression and events managed by the team.

The Reward Team works collaboratively with various other teams across the wider HR function, including our Recruitment, Payroll, Pensions, Business Partnering and Organisational Development Teams. Although the role will predominantly support our reward arrangements, which help the University to attract, retain and reward the best talent in a globally competitive employment market, there will also be an opportunity and requirement at times, to support projects across the broad spectrum of HR&OD.

Key duties include:

·       Acting as a primary point of contact for the Reward Team, answering day-to-day enquiries received into the shared inbox and escalating more complex queries to senior colleagues.

·       Providing administrative support to the Reward Team, assisting with the coordination of annual processes relating to Academic Progression, Recognition Events, Rewarding Excellence Scheme and other key projects.

·       Processing applications and dealing with queries relating to various benefits and updating SharePoint content about our Reward arrangements.

·       Preparing and issuing correspondence relating to our pay and reward arrangements.

·       Providing benchmark data and carrying out analysis using excel.

·       Providing administrative and diary support to the Director of HR Services, Systems and Reward and minute-taking for meetings, as required.

·       Providing cover and support to other HR teams including the PA support team, as required.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. 

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. 

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. 

• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 

• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. 

• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future. 

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

1.     Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.

2.     Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.

3.     Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

4.     Good spoken and written communication skills.

5.     Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications (including Excel), and HR Information Systems (such as Oracle).

6.     Committed to continuing professional development.

7.     Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.

8.     Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

What you are required to submit:

•   A CV 

•   A covering letter which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification 

Contact details 

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Claire Clarke or Kat Chow (Reward Specialists) would be happy to speak to you: claire.r.clarke@durham.ac.uk / katharine.chow@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements  

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

·       Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.

·       Provide an excellent and timely service to colleagues and key stakeholders.

·       Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues relevant to your role such as and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.

·       Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required.

·       Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.

·       When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards e.g. data protection when managing data.

·       Use standard office-based devices and applications, including Microsoft applications, to deliver services.

·       Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.

·       Arrange meetings and any other necessary arrangements for team members.

Teamwork

·       Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.

·       Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities.

·       Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands.

Communication/Liaison

·       Seek feedback from colleagues on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.

·       Record information accurately and respond to queries which you receive accordingly.

·       Liaise with colleagues across the University and professional organisations to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.

·       Liaise with external suppliers and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.

·       Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.

·       Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

MATERNITY COVER 

Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.