HR Assistant

Salary – £27,000 – £29,000 depending on experience, knowledge & skills

Are you an organised, proactive, and collaborative HR professional looking to grow your career in a truly varied generalist role?  Do you want to work in a not-for-profit organisation that’s passionate about delivering high-quality services to its members and nurturing its people?

If you thrive in a small, supportive HR team where you can get involved in everything and make a real difference, this could be the perfect next step for you.

About the HTA

This is a hugely exciting time for the sector and for the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).  Gardens and managed green spaces and landscapes have never been more important to the UK – for the economy, for the environment and for the nation’s well-being.   

We have 1,350 members, including garden retailers, growers, landscapers, and suppliers to the garden industry. The HTA lobbies and campaigns for its members within the horticulture industry and has an excellent reputation.  We provide our members with the opportunity to learn, be creative, and network with others in the industry.

We have been running the National Garden Gift scheme since 1962. These garden gift cards can be bought and redeemed at HTA Garden centre members sites throughout the UK and can also be purchased online and in some supermarket gift card malls. It is the biggest garden gift card scheme in the country – locking in over £30 million of consumer spend to horticulture and our members’ businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HTA campaigned to ensure garden centres were classified as essential retail, which has increased the profile of the environmental horticultural industry.

Our culture

Our culture is built on our core values of being Member Focused, Collaborative & Inclusive, Trusted, and Innovative. We put our members at the heart of everything we do, ensuring their needs and aspirations guide our decisions and actions. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued, and diverse perspectives drive creativity and success. Trust is central to our relationships, both internally and externally, and we are committed to acting with integrity and transparency in all that we do. We embrace innovation, continuously seeking new ways to improve and push boundaries, ensuring that we stay ahead of the curve in delivering exceptional service and results. If you’re looking for a workplace where these values are lived every day, and where you can make a real impact, we’d love to have you join us.

As an organisation, we are deeply committed to supporting and developing our team. We’ll give you the tools, mentoring, and opportunities you need to grow.

About the role

This full-time role is based at our main office in Chilton, Oxfordshire, with hybrid working available. You’ll typically be required in the office 3-4 days per week for team collaboration and can choose to work remotely for the rest of the week.  

As the first point of contact for all HR related queries, you will support the Head of HR to provide a professional, efficient and high-quality HR service across the organisation on all aspects of the employment lifecycle. 

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Manage our HR and Recruitment inboxes responding to queries promptly and escalating for assistance when needed
• Provide general HR administration support across all areas of HR including recruitment, changes to terms and conditions of employment, salary and benefits, performance management, payroll admin and learning and development
• Maintain accurate employee records on our HR system (we use PeopleHR) and create useful monthly data reports
• Assist with all recruitment campaigns e.g. preparing job adverts, liaising with agencies, managing candidates, arranging interviews, creating job offer paperwork and onboarding new starters
• Assist with monthly payroll reporting, liaising with our outsourced payroll provider
• Manage the administration and annual renewal of all our employee benefits 
• Provide assistance in employee relations cases
• Participate in HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support employee engagement activities and internal communications
• Stay abreast of HR best practice, trends, and changes in employment law

Whilst the majority of your role will be providing HR generalist support, you will also take on a small but important member-facing responsibility — managing our member e-learning portal.  This simple learning management system is used by a number of our members.  Your tasks will include checking the e-learning inbox and responding to member queries, setting up new users on the platform and maintaining accurate records.

What we can offer you

• Exposure to all areas of generalist HR – a great learning opportunity
• Personal development plan and clear path to progression
• Support for CIPD qualification if required
• A welcoming & collaborative workplace culture
• Experienced manager who will champion your development
• Chance to contribute both internally and to our member services
• Competitive salary and generous benefits package including 30 days holiday + Bank Holidays, pension, health cash plan, life assurance, employee discount scheme, employee assistance programme, salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work & Electric Vehicle), on-site parking and many more
• Tailored induction plan including full training on HR systems
• Be part of a values-driven organisation with a clear mission and a culture of innovation and integrity

About you

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is confident, efficient, and eager to take initiative and get involved across a broad range of HR activities.  To be successful in this role you will have:

• At least 1-2 years of previous experience in a similar fast-paced generalist HR Assistant role 
• CIPD Level 3 (or working towards it / keen to start)
• Experience using HR systems and ideally e-Learning platforms
• A fast learner – curious and willing to grow professionally
• Consistently role model our HTA Values.  This involves having a positive, proactive, and solution-focused mindset; being open-minded and innovative – always seeking better ways to do things; and a strong customer/member focus.
• Strong organisation and admin skills with excellent attention to detail. You will take pride and care in your work to ensure all output is delivered to a high standard.
• A great communicator – with strong writing and interpersonal skills (fluent in both written and spoken English)
• Plan and prioritise your time effectively, responding to changing needs with agility, flexibility and pace
• Work well under pressure, able to take on board feedback and adjust accordingly to ensure the best outcome
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Discreet and professional when handling confidential information 
• Strong aptitude for IT – able to pick up new tech quickly
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint

How to apply

If you’re someone who thrives in a small team, loves variety, and wants to build a well-rounded HR career in a supportive environment — we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to [email protected].  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Closing date: 5pm on Monday 21 July 2025

The HTA is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our culture and our talent processes.  We believe in creating a workplace where our people are treated with dignity and respect, a workplace free of barriers or discrimination.  We will make accommodations upon request for candidates wherever needed and practical throughout the hiring process.

This role is open to direct applicants only. No agencies please. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.