Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Volunteer
References
Timeline
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Sarah Hopkins

Ealand,Scunthorpe

Summary

CIPD qualified People Partner with extensive experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector, supporting leaders through complex employee relations, organisational change, and transformation. Trusted advisor with a strong track record in EDI, inclusion initiatives, policy development, and engagement, as well as large scale system implementation. Highly organised and committed to creating inclusive, supportive workplaces where colleagues feel heard, valued, and able to thrive.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education

Work history

People Partner

The Conservation Volunteers
2024.09 - 2026.02
  • Act as a trusted business partner to teams, understanding diverse needs and delivering tailored HR solutions that drive positive outcomes.
  • Provide expert HR advisory support across the employee lifecycle, including discipline, grievance, redundancies, attendance, and performance.
  • Lead and support organisational change initiatives, including transformation programmes involving redundancies, ensuring consistent application of HR best practice.
  • Developed and implemented sexual harassment policy and training, awareness initiatives, processes, and reporting mechanisms.
  • Partner with legal advisors on complex employee cases to ensure timely and compliant resolution.
  • Deliver management information and reporting, including recruitment, absence, and HR metrics, to support data-driven decision-making.
  • Provide coaching and guidance to managers, empowering them to take appropriate and effective action.
  • Play a key role in the implementation of the new HR/Payroll/Finance system.

People Co-ordinator

The Conservation Volunteers
2022.04 - 2024.09
  • Responsible for the maintenance and progression of the Disability Confident Scheme, working towards Disability Confident Leader.
  • Pro-active EDI Champion, implementing initiatives aligned to organisational strategy and inclusive practices.
  • Responsible for reasonable adjustments and strengthening inclusive recruitment practices.
  • Development and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation.
  • Provide procedural advice and guidance to leaders on People-related matters.
  • Oversee recruitment processes, including development of job descriptions, recruitment packs, adverts, and inclusive advertising options.
  • Monitor absence and support leaders with long-term and recurrent absence management.
  • Compile and maintain HR data and prepare reports on absence, recruitment, and compliance.

HR Administrator

The Conservation Volunteers
Doncaster
2018.04 - 2022.03
  • Administer the recruitment process.
  • Create offer letters, change to terms ensuring employees are signed up to the correct contractual terms.
  • Manage the leavers process.
  • Manage the criminal record process, liaising with leaders and relevant bodies ensuring compliance.
  • Involvement in the development and implementation of organisational values.
  • Create and adapt HR policies and Procedures.
  • Dual responsibility of the inhouse e-learning system.
  • Advise managers on HR related matters.
  • Calculate holiday entitlement and redundancy settlements.
  • Work closely with payroll ensuring a seamless delivery on all HR and Payroll matters.

Learner Support Advisor

The Skills Network
Selby
2017.10 - 2018.03
  • Support learners in achieving their online distance learning course.
  • Provide advice and guidance to learners.
  • Run reports to manage own caseload and meet targets.
  • Liaise regularly with learners and tutors, ensuring accurate data entry.

HR Advisory Assistant

North Lincolnshire Council
2017.03 - 2017.08
  • Validate and amend payroll data cost codes to deadlines.
  • Process special and unpaid leave and record sicknesses with verification of fit notes.
  • Assist in validating new starter documentation for contracts (adhering to safer recruitment guidelines).
  • Check and record DBS applications, maintain HR system data, and support disciplinary file management.
  • Maintain confidentiality and accurate HR administration across multiple systems.

Medical Secretary

Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust
Scunthorpe
2016.09 - 2017.03
  • Support consultants in managing case work and clinic administration.
  • Clinic management, ensuring clinics run to capacity.
  • Patient pathway management, ensuring patients are seen and treated accordingly.
  • Liaise with multi-agency teams to support safe patient care.

Student Receptionist/Administration Assistant

South Axholme Academy
Epworth
2014.09 - 2016.09
  • First point of contact for over 800 students, addressing needs and concerns.
  • Safeguarding responsibilities, supporting a safe educational setting.
  • Input and analyse data, identifying issues and presenting solutions.
  • Effectively communicate with staff, students, and external stakeholders.

Receptionist

South Axholme Academy
Epworth
2013.04 - 2014.09

Apprentice Administration Assistant

South Axholme Academy
Epworth
2012.01 - 2013.04

Education

CIPD Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior People Professional

Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (BePro)
2024.12 - 2026.02

CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma - Human Resources Management

Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (ICS Learn)
2017.10 - 2019.05

CACHE Level 2 - Information, Advice and Guidance

York College
2017.10 - 2018.01

BA Hons - Business Studies

University of Lincoln
2015.09 - 2016.05

Fda - Human Resources and Business Management

University of Lincoln
2013.09 - 2015.05

NVQ Level 2 - Business Administration

South Bank Training
2012.01 - 2013.04

National Award - Floristry

Bishop Burton College
2004.09 - 2005.06

AVCE - Business Studies

Franklin Sixth Form
2001.09 - 2003.06

Skills

  • Culture change and transformation
  • Employment Law
  • HR Policy and Governance
  • End to end HR
  • HR business partnering and stakeholder management
  • Employee relations
  • Policy development
  • HR best practice
  • Influencing
  • Coaching
  • Supporting managers
  • Analytical problem solving
  • Organisational skills
  • Workplace mediation
  • Conflict resolution
  • Mental Health First Aider
  • HR systems
  • Data management
  • Reporting
  • Commitment to continuing professional development
  • Stakeholder collaboration
  • Influencing senior leaders

Volunteer

  • Chair & Socials Volunteer, Jens Special Place, 2018-05-01, Present, Lead the charity as Chair, driving strategic objectives and ensuring alignment with its mission to support bereaved families., Oversee and contribute to the development and implementation of organisational policies and procedures, promoting good governance and compliance., Support bereaved families at monthly social events, providing guidance, reassurance, and a compassionate presence., Build and maintain partnerships with external organisations to strengthen the charity’s network, visibility, and community impact.
  • HR Advisory Assistant, North Lincolnshire Council, 2017-03-01, 2017-08-01, Validate and amend payroll data cost codes to deadlines., Process special and unpaid leave and record sicknesses with verification of fit notes., Assist in validating new starter documentation for contracts (adhering to safer recruitment guidelines)., Check and record DBS applications, maintain HR system data, and support disciplinary file management., Maintain confidentiality and accurate HR administration across multiple systems.

References

Available upon request

Timeline

CIPD Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior People Professional

Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (BePro)
2024.12 - 2026.02

People Partner

The Conservation Volunteers
2024.09 - 2026.02

People Co-ordinator

The Conservation Volunteers
2022.04 - 2024.09

HR Administrator

The Conservation Volunteers
2018.04 - 2022.03

Learner Support Advisor

The Skills Network
2017.10 - 2018.03

CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma - Human Resources Management

Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (ICS Learn)
2017.10 - 2019.05

CACHE Level 2 - Information, Advice and Guidance

York College
2017.10 - 2018.01

HR Advisory Assistant

North Lincolnshire Council
2017.03 - 2017.08

Medical Secretary

Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust
2016.09 - 2017.03

BA Hons - Business Studies

University of Lincoln
2015.09 - 2016.05

Student Receptionist/Administration Assistant

South Axholme Academy
2014.09 - 2016.09

Fda - Human Resources and Business Management

University of Lincoln
2013.09 - 2015.05

Receptionist

South Axholme Academy
2013.04 - 2014.09

Apprentice Administration Assistant

South Axholme Academy
2012.01 - 2013.04

NVQ Level 2 - Business Administration

South Bank Training
2012.01 - 2013.04

National Award - Floristry

Bishop Burton College
2004.09 - 2005.06

AVCE - Business Studies

Franklin Sixth Form
2001.09 - 2003.06
Sarah Hopkins