Job Description

For your application to be considered please attach a current CV and cover letter.? 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. 

Why Riverside? 

At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.

We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us. 

Working with us, you’ll enjoy: 

• Competitive pay & generous pension. 
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays. 
• Flexible working options available 
• Investment in your learning, personal development, and technology. 
• A wide range of benefits.

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.

Application Process:

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact as the People Policy Advisor we encourage you to apply with your CV and cover letter. 

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the criteria on the job description, at Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience.

The difference you will make as a People Policy Advisor

You will support the People Policy and Advice Manager in ensuring that all people policies, toolkits and related templates are in place, embedded and maintained according to legislative changes, best practice and business needs. Along ide this, you will provide day to day support for colleagues regarding the understanding, application and implementation of our policies, toolkits and related documents.

About You

You will be an experienced professional who is CIPD Level 3 qualified or working towards or equivalent with experience in development of policy within a People Services environment. You will also have experience of participating in programmes of work which require understanding of relevant employment law and best practice.

?Role Requirements 

• Role model, champion and embed Our Riverside Way and ways of working, collaborating with People Services and business colleagues to achieve the Riverside aspired culture.
• Support the People Policy and Advice Manager to ensure that the overall people policy schedule is maintained according to an agreed frequency and that all policies are regularly reviewed and refreshed, taking into account legal changes, developments in best practice and business needs
• Undertake research to be able to draft new policies or updates and ensure that all guidance and related collateral reflects Our Riverside Way, meets legislative requirements and considers best practice approaches
• Continually explore external best practice and provide recommendations as to how the organisation could evolve its policy and processes framework to improve stakeholder experience and engagement
• Support the planning and delivery of related projects and change management work
• Support the People Policy and Advice Manager in all projects including benchmarking, research, consultation and communication requirements and updating related templates
• Work in consultation with Trade Union colleagues and colleague groups as required
• Provide day to day support and advice on understanding and applying our policies, toolkits and templates, escalating queries and issues where necessary
• Own the RIC Policy pages ensuring that they are engaging, easy to use, regularly reviewed and updated with the latest changes in policy, rewards and benefits
• Assist the team with drafting communications for the Riverside weekly colleague newsletter and other channels, eg Workplace, regularly posting required updates.
• Support the People Services Team and People Transformation & Partnering function by helping to ensure that the Riverside People Strategy and Plans – together with underpinning frameworks and policies - are embedded and adhered to.
• Maintain industry knowledge and expertise, keeping abreast of People Partnering developments and best practice, identifying opportunities to contribute to and shape future decision making.
• Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.
• Ensure that all information security requirements, including data protection, are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Essential 

• Demonstrates Our Riverside Way and ways of working
• CIPD Level 3, working towards or equivalent
• Previous experience in development of policy within a People Services environment
• Experience of participating in programmes of work which require understanding of relevant employment law and best practice
• Previous experience in coordinating People Services projects from initiation to completion
• Excellent written communication/policy drafting skills and an ability to provide clear coaching and advice for managers and colleagues in both written and verbal forms
• Ability to work to own initiative without close supervision
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work with large complex and sensitive information and data

Desirable 

• Ability to investigate issues through benchmarking or research to build business cases and explore potential solutions to project risks and issues.
• Experience of consultation with employee groups or trade unions
• Understanding of social housing sector and the challenges it faces
• Evidence of continued professional development

Skills Required

• Communication Skills