Group HR Advisor

Optima; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Optima is seeking a proactive Group HR Advisor to join our HR team, providing expert advice across the business. This 12‑month FTC maternity cover offers a full-time schedule and exposure to a wide range of HR activities across the employee lifecycle.

You will support employee relations, recruitment, L&D, HR administration and project work, working closely with managers to drive continuous improvement and maintain compliant HR practices.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 desirable or equivalent HR qualification.
• Around 5 years of HR generalist experience preferred.
• Strong communication and people skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on employee relations including absence, disciplinary, grievance and performance issues.
• Support managers through formal meetings and note-taking.
• Manage absence cases and coordinate occupational health referrals.
• Advise on terms and conditions, flexible working, family leave, and HR policies.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems (starters, leavers, absences).
• Help keep HR policies up to date with legislation changes.
• Support recruitment from interviews through onboarding.
• Administer probation processes in line with company policy.
• Support annual review process and leaver administration.
• Assist with HR projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Stay up to date with employment legislation and HR best practice.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Calm under pressure

Multitasking

Education

CIPD Level 5 desirable

5 years HR generalist experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

HR systems

Job description

We are looking for a proactive and knowledgeable Group HR Advisor to join our HR team, providing expert advice and support to managers and employees across the business.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced and encouraging environment supporting a wide range of HR activities to support the full employee lifecycle including employee relations, recruitment, learning and development, HR administration and project work.

This role is a 12-Month FTC maternity cover with a potential temp to perm opportunity and is offered on a full-time basis Monday to Friday 08.30 – 17.00 (37.5 hours per week).

The Group HR Advisor duties include:

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Providing expert advice for employee relations matters including absence management, disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance issues.
• Supporting managers through formal meetings, including note taking.
• Managing absence cases and coordinating occupational health referrals.
• Advise on terms and conditions of employment, flexible working requests, family leave arrangements and HR policies.
• Maintaining accurate employee records and HR systems, including, starters, leavers and absences.
• Assisting with keeping HR policies up to date in line with changes in legislation.
• Supporting recruitment activities from interviews through to onboarding.
• Ensure the probationary process is administered in line with Company policy.
• Provide advice and support managers with the annual review process.
• Ensure that the leaver administration process is completed efficiently.
• Action maternity and paternity cases appropriately.
• Supporting learning and development initiatives, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications.
• Assisting with HR projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Keeping up to date with employment legislation and HR best practice.

The Group HR Advisor will need:

• CIPD level 5 desirable/ 5 years HR generalist experience
• Administration of Learning & Development activities such as apprenticeships and professional training would be beneficial
• Positive attitude and proactive approach
• Drive and enthusiasm
• Good spoken and written communication skills
• Able to build excellent relationships at all levels
• Ability to stay calm under pressure, unflappable
• Able to manage multiple tasks
• Good listening skills and excellent organisational skills
• Look for continuous improvement in own development and in HR processes/initiatives
• Good IT skills (use of Microsoft office/HR systems)
• Confidential, tactful and diplomatic