The Role

About EQ

EQ Accountants is an accounting, taxation, audit, and business advisory practice based in Scotland and offering the full spectrum of solutions to meet our clients financial practice needs. Our specialisms include Agriculture, Engineering and Manufacturing, Healthcare, Leisure, Professions, Property and Construction, Technology and Charities.

We have offices in Dundee, Forfar and Glenrothes, and each of our employees are committed to utilising their financial and business expertise to inspire, support and encourage our clients to create their vision and realise their ambitions.

We have been supporting our clients since the early 1990s, but there has never been a more interesting or important time to join us.

Joining the EQ team at this juncture is an exciting opportunity propelled by the recent investment from Sumer Group. With an ambitious plan to triple turnover within the next five years, EQ stands as a frontrunner in Scotland’s accountancy sector.

Bolstered by Sumer’s backing, EQ gains access to a vast network of over 1,000 colleagues across 40 offices while retaining the localised expertise of its core team.

Led by a dynamic leadership team and fuelled by strategic acquisitions, EQ is poised for growth. As part of this journey, EQ fosters a culture of development and empowerment, exemplified by employee-focussed initiatives.

Join EQ and be part of a transformative endeavour reshaping the landscape of UK accountancy.

The People and Culture Lead role is exciting, busy, and rewarding. As a key front-facing member of the People Team, your ability to build relationships within each function, and effectively implement our people plans, projects and initiatives will be crucial to our success in enabling the firm to deliver its broader strategic objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Every week, you’ll be connecting directly with our managers and colleagues in each of our locations, providing expert support and implementing key initiatives and projects that will help us build and maintain the best teams and working environments.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your own specific projects and you’ll support the broader People Team with the implementation of our strategic plan and change management activities.

Recruitment and Induction.

• Work in partnership with each of our functions and offices to advise on workforce planning and implement recruitment, and induction best practice.
• Work in partnership with the Learning and Development Manager to establish and maintain all the processes and resources required for graduates, interns, work placements, qualified and management recruitment, and onboarding.
• Create and implement recruitment plans and campaigns, making sure that all teams have the right recruitment resources and knowledge they need to bring the best employees into the firm.
• Own and oversee the onsite induction process for all new employees as well as organising and facilitating central induction events.

Learning and Development.

• Working in partnership with the Learning and Development Manager, advise on and implement agreed learning and development opportunities that will continuously improve capability and skills.
• Support the delivery of the Learning and Development Strategy by owning the induction experience and the completion of all statutory and mandatory learning and training in line with regulations and compliance.
• Organise and support managers through the annual performance and development reviews and work with the HR Administrator to oversee the collate results and insights that will inform our development and talent plans going forward.

Employee engagement.

• Under the direction of the Head of People & Culture coordinate and help to implement our employee engagement and communications strategies including the People Intranet, Employee Voice, Engagement Surveys, Recognition Initiatives and Change Management processes.

Change management.

• Work closely with the team to prepare for and support the implementation of all operational change proposals and consultation processes including acquisitions and helping to transition new teams into EQ.

Generalist support

• Act as the first point of contact and work in partnership with each of the functions and offices in relation to providing generalist HR/People and Culture advice and all other people activities.
• Maintain best practice operating procedures and help managers build their people leadership and management skills in relation to bringing out the best in the people who carry out work for them.
• Monitor and manage the HR and Recruitment email inboxes, directing the HR administrator to resolve and answer queries on a timely basis.
• Work with the HR administrator to sign off the necessary information required by our payroll function, resolving all pay queries as a matter of urgency.

HR Operational Excellence and Metrics Reporting

• Work with the HR Administrator to monitor, update and maintain HR operational excellence and all employment policies and procedures. Brief the team on any legislative changes as they happen.
• You’ll regularly monitor, report on, and make recommendations in relation to those HR and People metrics that will determine the value and effectiveness of our people plan in supporting the firm’s broader strategic objectives.

What you’ll need to be successful:

• This is a mid to senior level role; therefore, ideally, you’ll have a qualification specific to Human Resources Management; however, it’s important that you can demonstrate a successful track record in leading and achieving on People and Culture activities that match the requirements of the role.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to anticipate and proactively mitigate issues before they become problems.
• Positivity and confidence in your abilities, but you’re also a kind, empathetic person with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• You’ll be supporting cross functional teams, leading on the People Plan; therefore, the ability to build positive working relationships with all team members in a conscientious and inclusive way that enables people to arrive at solutions that achieve their work and career goals.
• Computer literate with knowledge and experience of practice management systems and HR software systems as well as the usual MS Office applications.
• Good attention to detail and the ability to effectively analyse and report on outcomes and issues.
• You understand how to organise and maintain work planning systems that keeps you on track to deliver the expected outcomes of several projects at once.
• You’ll have sound knowledge of employment law and maintain up to date knowledge of legislative change; making sure that you share this knowledge with your colleagues.
• The expectation is that you’ll work across our offices in the East of Scotland, therefore, your ability to travel independently is a must.

Benefits

We offer an inclusive culture that values, belonging, employee welfare and continuous improvement as critical aspects of our organisational performance. As well as ongoing learning and development opportunities and a career development programme, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes:

• Private medical insurance.
• Life cover.
• Income protection.
• Financial planning consultation.
• Pension contribution scheme.
• Flexible working.
• Approved professional subscriptions.
• Enhanced annual leave.

Closing date: 3rd of May 2024

At EQ, we value each person’s uniqueness and we’re committed to creating an inclusive, fair workplace. We promote diversity and inclusion in employment, and we’ll make reasonable adjustments to ensure we provide an equitable experience for all candidates who are interested in applying for this position.