HR administrator

Our client, a busy global award winning and collaborative architecture/ firm based in the heart of London, known for delivering innovative and sustainable design solutions is seeking a highly organised and proactive HR Administrator to support their growing team. This is a new role and will be helping the Head of People Talent to ensure smooth day-to-day HR operations in a creative and fast-paced environment.

Location: London- 4/5 days a week office based

Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Consultant: charley@lilyshippen.co.uk – Please direct all enquiries to Charley.

This is a unique role, requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will act as the right hand to their HR Director with exposure to all business matters ensuring seamless day-to-day operations, project support and internal communications. You’ll also have the opportunity to join their busy, central London based HQ and be an integral part of the team.

HR Admin Support:

• Support the full employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, probation, and offboarding processes.
• Maintain and update employee records and HR databases (e.g. holiday records, absence tracking, contracts).
• Coordinate recruitment logistics including advertising roles, scheduling interviews, and liaising with candidates and recruiters.
• Prepare HR documents such as offer letters, contracts, and reference requests.
• Assist with payroll preparation by providing relevant data to external providers (e.g. absences, bonuses, expenses).
• Support employee engagement initiatives and internal communications.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are up to date and comply with current legislation.
• Assist with learning and development coordination.
• Act as a point of contact for day-to-day HR queries from staff and management.
• Provide administrative support for performance reviews and appraisals.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information with discretion.
• Ability to travel to Manchester and Bristol for meetings from time to time.

Other Duties as Required:

• Take on any ad-hoc tasks to ensure the smooth running of the business and support the HR Director in their day-to-day responsibilities.

Requirements:

• 2 years Proven experience in an HR Administrator or similar HR support role.
• Experience within the architecture, property, design or real estate sectors is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of UK employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and a proactive approach.
• Proficient in MS Office and HR systems (e.g. BreatheHR, PeopleHR, or similar).
• CIPD qualification (Level 3 or above) is desirable but not essential.
• Ability to multitask, prioritise and operate with discretion.

Skills & Qualifications:

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Adaptability to shifting priorities and changing business needs.
• Enthusiastic, flexible and approachable demeanour.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with various teams.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to remain professionally calm within an ever-changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining professionalism.
• Passion for culture-building and employee experience.

Attributes:

• A proactive, can-do attitude with adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships at all levels.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast-paced business as an HR Administrator, you will play a key role in supporting the HR function across the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to payroll coordination and maintaining HR systems. You will be the first point of contact for HR-related queries and work closely with management to support a positive workplace culture.

This role is ideal for someone with previous HR administration experience, ideally within the architecture, real estate or creative sectors, who thrives in a collaborative environment and is confident juggling multiple priorities.

Lily Shippen is a leading recruitment agency, specialising in executive support and business support recruitment. We connect top talent with exceptional opportunities across the UK and internationally. Our expertise spans Executive Assistant, Personal Assistant, Office Manager, Chief of Staff, and HR recruitment, offering tailored solutions for businesses across various industries.

We recruit for permanent, temporary, and fixed-term contract roles across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Cheshire, and beyond. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity or looking to hire top talent, we’re here to help. If you’re an experienced HR Administrator looking for a new challenge in a dynamic role, we would love to hear from you.