Assistant HR Consultant

VWV; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in Bristol is seeking an Assistant HR Consultant (Education) to support a diverse range of education clients. This role offers responsibilities in advising on HR queries and assisting with complex projects. Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of HR experience and familiarity with school HR contexts. Competitive salary and benefits, with opportunities for professional growth in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Holiday allowance

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Internal training courses

Discounts with local businesses

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR experience, preferably in education.
• Experience supporting employee relationships casework.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and sensitive matters.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for HR queries.
• Support investigations, grievances, and restructures.
• Contribute to content creation and thought leadership.

Skills

HR experience

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

CIPD Level 5

Job description

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Narrow Quay HR are a subsidiary of VWV, a full service law firm. As a specialist HR consultancy with deep roots in the education sector, we're trusted by schools, colleges and universities across the country to help them navigate their people challenges with confidence and clarity.

We're growing — and we're now looking for an Assistant HR Consultant (Education) to join our expert team. This is a great opportunity if you're ready to step into a role with real responsibility, variety, and a strong pathway for development. You'll work alongside senior consultants and former employment lawyers, gain exposure to high-quality, often complex work, and build long-term relationships with clients who value what we do.

About The Role

You'll be directly involved in supporting a wide range of education clients – acting as a first point of contact for their HR queries and advising on everything from employee relations and contracts to performance issues and day-to-day policy matters.

You'll also support and contribute to more complex pieces of work – from investigations and grievance processes to restructures and consultations. You'll play a key role in preparing materials, organising timelines, and even co-presenting training sessions online and in person. There's also plenty of scope to get involved in content creation, thought leadership, and client engagement – whether that's drafting articles, contributing to our newsletter, or helping shape how we communicate with our audience.

What makes this role stand out is the breadth of experience you'll gain, the quality of work you'll be exposed to, and the team you'll be learning from. We're collaborative, knowledgeable and genuinely invested in helping our clients – and each other – succeed.

About You

You'll already have a few years' experience in HR under your belt, ideally around 3–5 years, and you will have completed your CIPD Level 5, or be very near completion. Given the nature of our client base, direct experience in the education sector—particularly in schools—is essential. The schools experience would preferably include schools HR, and include supporting with employee relationships casework. This background enables you to hit the ground running in understanding the context, language, and challenges our clients face. Applications without relevant education sector experience unfortunately cannot be considered.

You're someone who's confident building relationships, clear in your communication, and comfortable managing multiple priorities. You'll be able to bring sound judgement to your work, adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and handle sensitive matters with professionalism and care.

You'll also be keen to learn – whether that's through getting involved in new types of projects, contributing ideas to help improve how we work, or deepening your understanding of employment law and HR best practice.

If you're looking for a role that will challenge you, support you, and help you develop as a well-rounded HR professional, we'd love to hear from you.

For more details of the essential and desirable experience we're looking for, please click on the attached job description link.

Why Choose Us?

Narrow Quay HR is part of VWV, which is a leading firm of solicitors, with its Head Office in Bristol. In practice this means you'll enjoy the benefits of being part of a small team but also benefit from the infrastructure that comes with being part of a larger organisation in terms of resource and support. With around 600 employees, VWV is a sizeable firm which is known for its friendly and welcoming culture where teamwork and collaboration is key.

We offer a competitive salary, holiday allowance that increases after 12 months, and contribute to your pension pot. In addition, we have an informal dress code, give you private healthcare and life assurance, as well as offering a range of discounts with local businesses. You'll also benefit from a wide range of internal training courses, so that you can continuously learn and develop your skills.

You'll be working in an inclusive environment, that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone, regardless of background, can reach their full potential.

Where Will I Be Working?

We have a truly unique and engaging culture that we hold dear. We work hard but we also love to have fun and we recognise that it's the social interaction betweenus that really shapes our culture.

Whilst we work to a hybrid model, we offer the flexibility to work from home but for this role we would like you to work from our Bristol office at least 1 day per week, and once a month at our Birmingham office. In this way, you'll benefit first-hand from our warm and friendly culture as well as facilitate cross referral opportunities from your colleagues in other teams. We are of course happy to discuss any specific requirements of hybrid working with candidates on an individual basis.

How To Apply

Click "Apply Now" to submit your CV along with a short cover letter explaining why this opportunity is right for you. Be sure to tell us about your experience working in the education sector and how it prepares you for this role.