HR Assistant

HR Assistant Placement Year

Location: Wilsmlow HQ,

Salary: £25,155

University 2nd Year Student 2026/2027

Citation is one of the UK’s leading providers of Health and Safety, HR, Employment Law, and ISO services to businesses. We pride ourselves on being leaders in our industry, constantly empowering our team, and fostering a culture of support and innovation. We love what we do, and we’re on a mission to grow and that’s where you come in. Not bragging but…we’ve also just been named one of the Sunday Times Best companies to work for. Again.

The purpose of HR in Citation is to create a culture that enables every colleague to be at their best. As a team, we are hardworking and have fun whilst we do it. You will have exposure to everyone in the business and everyone will quickly know your name. We are as much interested in your personality as we are your technical ability.

Our Industrial Placement Scheme is designed to provide you with valuable industry experience. We believe in giving you immediate responsibility, helping you build professional skills and a potential to assist in securing a future graduate role.

You will be fully involved in the daily activities of the department as well as completing project work to give you a broad understanding of the function. In this role you will provide crucial support across the HR spectrum including engagement, performance management, employee relations, projects and reporting.

The Role

No two days will be the same. Working closely with the HR department, the main responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Working alongside our HR administrators to be the first port of call for all HR admin
• Preparing essential colleague paperwork such as; contract and offer letters, salary review letters, leaver letters
• Maintaining HR Systems and databases whilst working with large people data sets
• Onboarding and offboarding colleagues including: System set up, liaising with new starters, coordinating induction, closing accounts, conducting exit interviews
• Benefit and reward administration
• Compliance checks such as references, right to work, driving checks, etc
• Coordinating internal engagement events and training
• Supporting internal communications to ensure they are effective and in line with our culture and values
• Shadowing our HR Business Partners in meetings to gain a deeper understanding, providing admin and note taking support for a range of issues such as: investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, performance, wellbeing / absence issues, probation reviews etc
• Leading the admin for all wellbeing initiatives including: DSE, Occupational Health, Access to work etc
• Liaising with payroll to ensure colleagues are paid correctly
• Project work as and when required by the wider HR team
• Utilising AI in role to support in our ongoing AI growth plans

Who are we looking for?

• Being efficient, organised and willing to roll your sleeves up is necessary, but we can’t teach passion, drive and motivation
• University 2nd year student looking for a placement year in 2026/2027
• Able to work accurately with excellent attention to detail
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Demonstrate excellent internal customer service in line with our values
• Flexible and adaptable
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills (both written and oral)
• Able to work as part of a team and on own initiative

Here’s a taste of the perks we roll out for our extraordinary team members:

25 Days of Holiday + 8 Bank Holidays: We’re talking sun-soaked beaches, snow-capped mountains, or simply your favourite cozy spot at home. Take your well-deserved break with 25 days of holiday, plus those cherished bank holidays.

Birthday Bliss: Your birthday isn’t just another day on the calendar; it’s YOUR day! Enjoy it in style with a day off, because at Citation, we believe in celebrating YOU.

Post-Wedding Bliss: Newlyweds, we’ve got something special for you too! Extra weeks of holiday to bask in the glow of post-wedding happiness.

Growing Families: We’re all about supporting our Citation family, and that includes expectant parents. Vouchers and special perks await to celebrate the newest addition to your family.

Healthcare cash plan: Your well-being is our priority. That’s why we offer private healthcare to ensure your peace of mind and keep you feeling your best.

The Citation Group provides mission-critical compliance, HR and health & safety services and software to over 120,000 businesses across the UK, Australia and Canada. Professionals with personality - serious about what we do, brilliant to work with. Backed by Hg, KKR and HarbourVest.