HR Frontline Specialist

Title: Employee Support Specialist

Grade/Salary: Grade E (£32,578 - £37,563)

Contract Type: Fixed Term (6 Months)

Hours: 37

Location: Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury (Office-based and hybrid working 3 days in office)

Job Summary:

We are recruiting two fixed-term Employee Support Specialists to provide dedicated testing support across ongoing Oracle-related projects within HR Employee Services. The roles will help ensure that system changes are thoroughly tested before implementation, supporting effective delivery, reducing the risk of errors reaching the live system and providing clear evidence for testing sign-off and assurance.

• Plan, complete and record system testing for Oracle-related changes, ensuring outcomes and issues are documented accurately.
• Work closely with HR Employee Services colleagues and project stakeholders to support delivery within agreed project timescales.

Key responsibilities

Interpret statutory and contractual requirements and apply them accurately when testing HR and payroll processes.

• Analyse complex data, validate pay adjustments and identify potential system or calculation issues before changes are released.
• Produce accurate testing evidence, reports, spreadsheets and correspondence to support assurance and sign-off decisions.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining business-as-usual service standards and escalating risks promptly.

What we are looking for

• Strong knowledge of HR and payroll processes, employment terms and conditions, and relevant statutory or contractual requirements.
• Experience of system testing, data validation or quality assurance, ideally within an HR, payroll or Oracle environment.
• Ability to analyse complex information, identify discrepancies and maintain clear, auditable testing records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex and sensitive issues clearly.
• A highly organised and accurate approach, with the ability to work independently and deliver to fixed project deadlines.

These posts are fixed term because they provide additional capacity for defined Oracle project activity. The successful candidates will help reduce the risk of project delay, service disruption, rework and calculation errors by providing focused testing support before system changes go live.

Closing Date : 20th November 2026

Interviews will happen in the last week of November and first week of December

Please submit a CV and supporting statement to Kirti_Bagora@sandwell.gov.uk before the closing date.

We reserve the right to close vacancies prior to their advertised date if we receive a large number of applications. Therefore, you are strongly advised to submit your CV as soon as possible. When submitting your CV and supporting statement, please refer to the supporting documents attached.

If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know.

If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.

If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact Kirti_bagora@sandwell.gov.uk

For more information about working for Sandwell Council, our recruitment process and our offer to you please visit https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/counciljobs

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https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/WeAreSandwell/council/story

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Sandwell Council welcomes applications from Armed Forces veterans and values the transferable skills and experience they bring. Under our Veterans’ Guaranteed Interview Scheme, eligible veterans who demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview. Please indicate in your application that you wish to be considered under the scheme.