Onboarding/HR Associate

Job Description

*This position will be based in the Hemel Hempstead office 3 days per week / 2 days at home*

As a key member of the Recruitment Team within the wider HR department, you will play an important role in delivering a consistent, compliant and well-organised onboarding experience for all new starters.

This role is highly administrative in nature and is ideally suited to someone who enjoys working with detailed processes, handling sensitive information, and ensuring documentation is completed accurately and on time. Success in this position comes from maintaining high standards of accuracy, following established procedures, and effectively managing onboarding activities from offer stage through to employment commencement.

You will work closely with hiring managers, new starters, Payroll, IT and external providers to ensure all onboarding and vetting requirements are completed efficiently and in line with company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for onboarding-related queries from hiring managers and new starters.
• Manage the Onboarding inbox, ensuring queries are responded to promptly and accurately.
• Prepare and issue employment contracts, offer letters and onboarding documentation for new starters across the UK and Ireland.
• Review all documentation for accuracy, ensuring alignment with approved offers, company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Complete and monitor pre-employment screening checks, including Right to Work, DBS and Financial Probity checks through the Background Checking portal.
• Arrange occupational health assessments and track progress through to completion.
• Review vetting and occupational health reports, escalating any concerns in line with established procedures.
• Maintain accurate employee records and onboarding documentation throughout the recruitment lifecycle.
• Manage apprenticeship administration, including maintaining records within the Government Apprenticeship Service portal.
• Coordinate new starter system access by user accounts and email set-up.
• Create employee records and payroll numbers to support accurate payroll processing.
• Process DBS renewals and maintain appropriate tracking records.
• Produce onboarding reports and maintain weekly and monthly tracking spreadsheets for key stakeholders.
• Create, review and update standard operating procedures, guidance documents and FAQs to ensure processes remain accurate and up to date.
• Support internal audits and compliance reviews by maintaining organised and accurate records.
• Attend regular recruitment, vetting and supplier review meetings as required.

Qualifications

Essential Skills & Experience

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Ability to follow established processes and procedures consistently.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise competing tasks while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience maintaining records, spreadsheets and tracking documents.
• Comfortable working within a structured, process-driven environment.
• Team-oriented with a proactive and professional approach.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within HR, onboarding, recruitment administration or contract administration.
• Knowledge of pre-employment screening processes, including Right to Work and DBS checks.
• Experience managing employment references.
• Experience using Zellis Background Checking, ResourceLink or SmartRecruiters.
• Experience using Microsoft Teams.
• Experience creating and maintaining process documentation and standard operating procedures.

Additional Information

Employees of NEC are entitled to the following Company funded benefits:

• Single Private Medical Cover (with the option to select family cover at an additional cost)
• 25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days
• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover
• A Group Pension Plan with fantastic employer contributions
• A selection of tax efficient flexible benefits to suit your individual needs
• The role offers a competitive salary.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate a pre-existing right to work and travel within the EU. Documentary evidence will be required.
• All offers are subject to satisfactory vetting and reference checks. Depending on the nature of the role a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check may also be required.
• NEC is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all communities.