Full Job Description
Begin Your HR Career at UCB – Where Patients Inspire, and People Matter
Join UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming the lives of people with severe diseases. We’re offering an exciting 18-month HR apprenticeship for someone starting in their HR journey, combining hands-on experience with a fully funded Level 3 CIPD qualification. You’ll be part of a passionate, supportive HR team, gaining exposure to a wide range of people-focused activities while contributing to meaningful work that puts patients at the heart of everything we do.
Qualification Requirements
5 GCSE’s at grades 9 – 4 (A* -C)
A Levels and/or HR work experience is desirable but not essential
Salary - £19,300 per annum
Annual salary review with set salary increments based on performance
Benefits
- Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
- Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
- Work from Home- UCB offer hybrid working
- Casual Dress
- Employee assistance programme
- Onsite parking
- Onsite Canteen
- Paid sick leave on successful completion of the probationary period
- Days off for volunteering
- Employee recognition awards
Location - 208 Bath Rd, Slough SL1 3WE until approximately August 2026 where UCB will move to new site Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PP
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00am – 17:00pm with one hour unpaid lunch break.
Flexible hours / working- UCB offer core hours 10 – 4 with the remainder of the working day made up to suit the individual
Duration - 18 months
Start Date - August/September 2025
Interview Date - July 2025
Closing Date for Applications - 14th July 2025
To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on [email protected] for assistance
Next Steps
Successful candidates will be progressed to a one-way video interview, invites will be sent via email.
The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager along with your application form to decide who is brought through to the final interview.
Job Description
Start your HR career with purpose – and make a difference from day one!
Are you a people-person with big ambitions and a curious mind? Ready to take your first step into the world of HR? At UCB, we’re offering an exciting opportunity to launch your career through a 18-month HR apprenticeship, packed with real experience, expert guidance, and a fully funded Level 3 CIPD qualification.
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company with a bold mission: to improve the lives of people living with severe diseases. With more than 9,000 employees around the world, our work in neurology and immunology is powered by science, but it’s inspired by people – our patients, our teams, and hopefully, you!
As our HR Apprentice, you’ll become part of a passionate, friendly team and get hands-on experience supporting over 700 UK-based colleagues. You’ll rotate across different parts of the HR function, including:
- A team of 4 Business Partners
- An Operations team of 5 (covering the employee lifecycle, pay, and benefits)
- A Recruitment team of 5
From helping to welcome new joiners to assisting with HR projects, employee communications and day-to-day support, you’ll be learning by doing – and supported every step of the way. This is a fantastic opportunity to build your confidence, grow your skills, and discover what a career in HR could look like for you.
If you’re eager to learn, love working with people, and want to be part of a company that truly cares – we can’t wait to meet you.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Monitoring and responding to first level employee queries though the on-line portal ‘HR Answers’
- Coordination of the starters and leavers process, including reference checking, reporting and communicating with other relevant departments.
- Setting up and manage arrangements for all new hire inductions including slide preparations, collating induction packs, arranging catering
- Managing all aspects of training: including booking trainers, candidate registration, meeting invitations, distribution of pre-work, booking rooms and catering.
- Support the relocation process for internal transfers and new recruits, through arranging temporary accommodation, and tracking financial spend and reporting to Finance for tax purposes.
- Arranging and collating exit interviews and reporting on trends/ analysis.
- Maintaining complete and accurate employee files – electronic and hard copy.
- Processing all Purchase Orders and invoice processing in SAP to ensure department spend is managed effectively
Personal Qualities
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Good ability to multitask
- Problem solving skills
- Good numerical and IT skills Attention to detail
- Team worker and considerate to members of team and wider organisation
- Highly motivated and drive to develop oneself
- Demonstrates reliability and integrity
- Enthusiasm
Training To Be Delivered
Qualification to be delivered:
CIPD level 3
Apprenticeship Standard: Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship
Training Provider: BPP
Delivery model: A blend of online learning and day release
Future Prospects
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. There is a possibility of progression on to the level 5 Apprenticeship in People Practice that delivers the CIPD level 5. This is subject to learner performance and business need at the time.
The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.
Things To Be Considered
Please ensure that you currently live within or can relocate to a commutable distance of the site.
About UCB
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.
UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.
Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.
UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives.
