HR Officer

U-Drive has an exciting opportunity for a professional, approachable, and people-focused HR Officer to join our Head Office team in Poole.

This is a varied and hands-on generalist HR role where you'll be a key point of contact for managers and employees across the business. You will play an important part in supporting our people, driving best practice, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and helping to create a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Working closely with teams across our branch network and Head Office functions, you'll provide expert HR guidance and support across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to employee relations, performance management, training, and wellbeing initiatives.

This is a permanent, office-based position working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm.

About the Role

As HR Officer, you will support the delivery of an effective, compliant, and people-focused HR service across the business. You'll work closely with managers and employees, providing practical HR support and ensuring company policies and procedures are consistently applied.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a thorough understanding of U-Drive's business objectives, culture, and people practices
• Manage onboarding processes, including right-to-work checks and new starter administration
• Assist with recruitment, induction, and employee integration activities
• Identify training and development needs in partnership with department managers
• Coordinate and occasionally deliver training sessions and employee inductions
• Provide advice and guidance to managers on HR policies, procedures, and employment legislation after liaising with our external HR advice line
• Support and administer disciplinary, grievance, absence management, and performance management processes
• Promote employee wellbeing, engagement, equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation
• Assist with policy development and implementation to support organisational objectives
• Produce HR reports and management information as required
• Support organisational change processes, including restructuring and redundancy consultations where necessary
• Ensure the employee handbook and HR policies remain accurate and up to date

About You

We're looking for a confident and empathetic HR professional who enjoys building strong relationships and supporting others to achieve their best.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Previous experience within an HR Advisor or HR Officer role (typically 1-3 years in a generalist HR environment)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels of the organisation
• A high level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive and confidential matters
• Confidence in advising and supporting managers on employee relations issues and people management practices
• A sound understanding of UK employment legislation and its practical application
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and HR systems
• Experience supporting key HR processes, including absence management, disciplinary procedures, grievance handling, and performance management
• The ability to analyse and present HR data and management information is desirable
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards) is preferred
• Eligibility to work in the UK

U-Drive is a long-established, family-owned vehicle rental business with over 40 years of industry experience. Operating a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles across the UK, we provide daily rental, contract hire, and leasing solutions to both private and business customers.

Our success is built on delivering exceptional customer service, investing in our people, and maintaining strong family values at the heart of everything we do.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave including bank holidays, increasing with length of service
• Employee discounts on U-Drive vehicle rentals, with discounts available for friends and family
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Access to an employee discount platform offering savings at over 3,000 retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured
• Free annual MOT
• Supportive and friendly working environment
• Opportunity to make a genuine impact within a growing family-owned business

If you're an HR professional who is passionate about supporting people, building strong relationships, and helping a business thrive through its employees, we'd love to hear from you.