HR Adviser

Allen Associates; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Pension scheme with employer contribu-

Hybrid working options

Sports facilities discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Allen Associates is recruiting an HR Adviser for a prestigious Oxford college. The role focuses on employment law compliance, HR policy delivery, and supporting the Head of HR.

You will manage the full employee lifecycle, payroll data, onboarding, and GDPR-aligned confidential information, with hybrid/onsite arrangements and generous benefits. Join a forward-thinking, inclusive institution in a critical support role, delivering high-quality HR services across staff and students within a complex

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR advisory roles.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR practices.
• Confident communicator with ability to advise across all levels.
• Experience with HR administration, onboarding, leavers and contracts management.
• High attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information securely.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of HR with employment law compliance and policies.
• Manage full employee lifecycle: recruitment, onboarding, absence, leavers, contracts.
• Prepare payroll-related data and oversee annual leave calculations.
• Handle confidential information in line with GDPR and security policies.
• Advise colleagues, Fellows and managers on ER issues with clear guidance.

Skills

HR advisory

UK employment law

Communication

Project work

Attention to detail

Tools

HR systems

Job description

HR Adviser

Are you an experienced HR professional with strong knowledge of UK employment law and legislation, eager to support a forward-thinking, inclusive institution? This is your opportunity to bring your HR expertise to a vibrant college, making a real difference in higher education.

HR Adviser Responsibilities

This position will involve, but will not be limited to:

• Supporting the Head of HR in delivering employment law compliance and HR policies to ensure legal and regulatory adherence across the college.
• Managing the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, absence management, leavers, and the administration of fixed-term contracts, ensuring accurate record keeping and compliance.
• Preparing payroll-related data, including calculations of annual leave, accrued leave, expense submissions, and overtime hours, supporting finance department processes.
• Handling confidential HR information with high sensitivity aligned with GDPR and information security policies.
• Advising and supporting colleagues, Fellows, and managers on ER issues, providing clear and professional guidance at all levels.
• Contributing to process improvements, assisting with projects such as updating training records, refining induction programmes, and streamlining HR procedures.
• Acting as the first point of contact for HR queries, maintaining high standards of communication, and demonstrating commercial awareness in a complex environment with diverse stakeholders.

HR Adviser Rewards

• Salary c.£38,000, based on the grade 6 pay scale.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Membership of a pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Free meals on duty.
• Access to sports facilities and discounts at local sports clubs.
• Cycle to work scheme and childcare salary sacrifice options.
• Employee Assistance Programme for support and wellbeing.
• Flexible start and finish times, with core hours from 10am to 4pm.
• Hybrid working options may be available post-settlement; initially onsite full-time.

The Company

Our client is a college dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity and access in higher education. They take pride in their welcoming atmosphere and are driven by a culture of openness and collaboration, ideal for someone seeking a rewarding career supporting staff and students in a distinguished academic setting.

HR Adviser Experience Essentials

• Proven experience in HR advisory roles, ideally within complex organisations or higher education.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience with HR administration, including new starters, leavers, and contracts management.
• Familiarity with payroll processes, HR systems, and GDPR compliance.
• Confident communicator with the ability to advise across all levels of an organisation.
• High attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information securely.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise workloads, and contribute to projects.

Location

Based onsite in a thriving college environment with excellent public transport links, located within Oxford city centre. Flexible working arrangements may be considered after the settling-in period, depending on work requirements. There is no car parking onsite. You must be able to commute into Oxford Monday-Friday.