HR Officer

Hours: Full time (35 hours p/w) Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Contract type: Specific Purpose Contract (maternity leave cover)

Location: The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working

Office days: Wednesday and Thursday

Salary: €45,000 per annum

Who we are

Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears the words ‘You’ve got cancer’. At the Irish Cancer Society, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact a cancer diagnosis brings. And we are determined to do everything we can to help.

As Ireland’s leading cancer charity, we work across every area of cancer – from prevention and early detection, through to end-of-life care. We make a positive impact for people affected by cancer every day: investing in lifesaving and life-changing research; providing practical, financial and emotional supports; and driving improvements in public cancer services.

What you’ll do

The HR Officer will be a core member of the HR team, responsible for supporting the effective management of the society’s HR operations. The HR Officer will have key responsibility for payroll, benefits and contract administration, as well as being a point of contact for staff and management queries and advice.

The HR Officer will be involved in recruiting the best people to the Society and ensuring compliance with employment legislation and internal policies.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Recruitment and on-boarding

Conduct the interview process for assigned roles, ensuring the Society’s practices and policies are utilised and liaising with the hiring manager throughout

Prepare contracts for all new starters, ensuring all details and terms are recorded accurately and reflective of up-to-date employment law and best practice

Ensure all new starter records are created accurately on the HR system, including all personal and employment details

Payroll and Benefits Administration

Collate monthly payroll amendments and work with HR Manager and Finance team to ensure the accurate processing of monthly payroll in line with deadlines, including gathering the appropriate back up documentation and carrying out relevant monthly updates

Administer the exit process from payroll perspective for all leavers and ensure all relevant systems and internal/external parties are updated.

Work closely with HR Coordinator on any other schemes signed up for throughout the month, e.g. Bike to Work/Taxsaver tickets

Administer the pension scheme, working closely with external pension administrators to maintain accurate data and documentation, including the annual pension and risk renewal.

Liaise with pension administrators and relevant staff members on PHI claims, ensuring all claims are submitted in a timely manner and accurate records are maintained.

Administer leave processes such as sick leave and family leaves and ensure the receipt of relevant documentation and update of relevant systems.

HR System and Reporting

Maintain HR system with up to date and accurate data at all times, including employee data, starters/leavers, leave entitlements and time and attendance data.

Actively identify ways of using the HR system to increase efficiencies or improve processes across the HR department

Pull and analyse HR system reports as required

Document management, support and compliance

Ensure contracts for all changes/amendments/promotions/contract extensions are managed and prepare these as necessary, ensuring adherence to up to date employment legislation and best practice

Ensure all required and relevant documentation is gathered and maintained for every staff member, including monitoring and proactively following up on visa requirements

Provide advice and guidance to managers and employees as required on a broad range of HR related issues, and respond to queries, escalating to the HR Manager as necessary.

Review employee handbook annually, making required legislative or policy updates and amendments and ensure an up-to-date version is published and available to all staff

Assist with the review, research, development and update of HR policies and procedures, as appropriate and required, communicating these to staff in conjunction with the HR team.

Keep up to date with HR best practice and changes in employment legislation

General

Participate in strategic or other projects as required.

Work with HR team to maintain accurate employee files and HR records.

Assist HR Manager with arranging Reception cover as required.

Provide administration support to the HR Manager as required.

Assist with special projects as required, or self-determined, to ensure best practice.

The Irish Cancer Society operates a no-smoking policy, and the post holder must not smoke in the office or when on Society business outside the office.

Be willing to occasionally work outside of normal working hours.

All employees are required to be aware of their responsibilities towards health and safety and to adhere to fire regulations.

This job description is not exhaustive; it merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Society at any time after discussion with the post holder.

Maintain confidentiality at all times, and compliance with the Data Protection Act is an essential requirement.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

Previous experience working in a HR role. The Irish Cancer Society measures experience by the quality of the experience gained, rather than number of years worked.

Third level HR related qualification or equivalent work experience.

Experience working with databases or a HR Management System.

Solid working knowledge of Irish employment legislation and best practice.

Payroll experience an advantage.

Skills

Organised and efficient: you will be highly organised and efficient in your work, with a strong attention to detail and ability to work effectively to deadlines.

Adaptable team player: you will work flexibly and collaboratively within your direct team and with colleagues across the organisation.

Effective communicator: you will have excellent and engaging communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills with an ability to build relationships.

Technology savvy: you will have a high level of proficiency in the MS Office suite, and experience of working with databases, as well as using technology to support internal processes.

A practical problem-solver: you are highly practical and able to come up with solutions and create efficiencies where possible.

Curious and proactive: you will be interested in HR and keen to develop and grow your skills, in a supportive environment. You will be proactive about identifying opportunities to improve how we work.

This contract is a specified purpose contract for the purpose of covering maternity and associated leave of the post holder. This contract will end on the return to work of the post holder.

The closing date for applications is Monday 24th November 2025

Please note all CVs are logged through a third-party system for processing

The Irish Cancer Society is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Some of our benefits

23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)

Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.

Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)

Flexitime

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (after 6 months)

Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)

Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme

Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)

Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)

Learning and Development Programmes

Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

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