People Generalist - Maternity Cover

Role Summary:

We’re looking for a passionate and results-oriented People Generalist to join us on a fixed-term basis, covering an upcoming period of maternity leave within the team. As People Generalist, you will play a central role in supporting the employee experience across the full employee lifecycle. From onboarding to offboarding, you will be the main point of contact for employee queries, manage core HR processes and support the delivery of key people initiatives.

This hands-on, fast paced and varied role is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is motivated by making an extraordinary impact as part of a small but supportive People team. You’ll play a key role in supporting our people and driving meaningful change by streamlining processes and championing initiatives that enhance efficiency and the overall employee experience.

Who are Cambridge Cognition and what do we do?

We are a talented global team, based in the UK, Canada and USA. Backed by over 30 years of scientific discovery and validation, Cambridge Cognition offers the end-to-end platform for CNS clinical trials. Our technologies are reliable in-clinic or at home for an improved patient experience and accelerated drug development.

We aim to make an extraordinary impact by improving the health of people worldwide with innovative assessments and digital biomarkers that provide researchers with precise measures of patients’ symptoms. We lead in CNS research and are broadening our impact across therapeutic areas.

Are you interested in working for a company whose main goal is to make a difference to the health of current and future generations, through the knowledge and experience of our passionate team?

What you’ll be doing:

As a People Generalist, you’ll play a vital role in shaping a positive employee experience. You’ll act as a trusted advisor, problem solver, and project driver, working closely with colleagues across the business to deliver meaningful support throughout the employee lifecycle.

• Be the go-to person for people queries, providing clear, supportive guidance across a full range of HR matters throughout the full employee lifecycle.
• Own the recruitment and onboarding journey, helping us attract, welcome and set up new joiners for success.
• Support employees and managers with practical, solutions-focused advice on day-to-day people topics, including performance, development and wellbeing.
• Champion best practice by developing and embedding inclusive HR policies and services alongside the People and Culture Manager that support a high-performing, values-led culture.
• Use data to make an impact through tracking key HR metrics and sharing insights that help us improve engagement, retention and experience.
• Take the lead on engagement initiatives, including wellbeing programmes, charity initiatives, social events and feedback-based improvements.
• Work with the People & Culture Manager to evolve our benefits offering in line with employee needs and external benchmarks.
• Maintain accurate people records, ensuring systems and documentation are kept up to date.
• Build trusted relationships with managers across the organisation, acting as a sounding board and coach on people topics.
• Support employee relations matters by addressing concerns proactively and professionally, helping to resolve issues early and fairly.
• Partner with Finance to ensure global payroll processes are managed smoothly and accurately.
• Own general HR administration, making sure our processes run efficiently and compliantly.
• Take the lead on office management and health and safety, partnering with our Operations team, Fire Marshalls and First Aiders to ensure everything runs smoothly — from up-to-date maintenance and fire alarm tests to a well-stocked snack cupboard and most importantly a safe and welcoming workplace.

What we need from you:

Essential Requirements:

• You have proven experience as an HR or People Generalist and are confident supporting a broad range of people initiatives.
• You have a solid working knowledge of UK employment law, with the ability to apply it pragmatically in a fast-paced environment.
• You are highly organised, detail-driven, and able to juggle competing priorities, delivering projects with clarity and care.
• You are confident using MS Office and experienced in working with HRIS platforms to ensure people data is accurate, up to date, and meaningful.
• You are a clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal, who can tailor messaging for different audiences.
• You are skilled at building strong relationships and collaborating with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• You can influence with credibility and navigate sensitive or complex conversations with professionalism and care.
• You are passionate about continuous learning and actively seek opportunities to grow your network, expand your knowledge, and stay up to date with changes in employment law.
• You enjoy reviewing and refining processes to ensure they’re efficient and effective, and you're confident suggesting new ideas that support both the team and the wider business.

Desirable Requirements:

• You hold a CIPD Level 5 Qualification or equivalent.
• You bring a working knowledge of US and/or Canadian employment law and enjoy navigating the nuances of international HR.
• You have supported teams working across multiple time zones or countries.
• You are confident operating in a regulatory environment with experience supporting audit readiness.
• You are professionally curious about MedTech, life sciences, or health innovation.
• You are confident using Hibob as an HRIS and are comfortable utilising it to improve the employee experience.
• You are a trained first aider and / or mental health first aider.

We know not everyone will tick every box. If you’re interested in the role and think you’d be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you.

What we can offer you

• Be part of a driven team to achieve commercial success and make an extraordinary impact on global health  
• Flexibility – 3 days a week at our office in Bottisham, just outside Cambridge; and 2 days from home plus the opportunity to work your hours flexibly.
• 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays (including 3 days for Christmas break) with a holiday buy/sell scheme 
• Generous pension with up to 6.5% company contribution
• Life assurance 2x base salary
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Private Health Insurance - Bupa Insurance, Simply Health Cashback Scheme

Cambridge Cognition is an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and application from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage, and civil partnerships.