HR Adviser (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days annual leave

Parental leave (maternity/paternity/ad

Discounts on major retailers

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives HR Team is seeking an experienced HR Adviser on a fixed-term contract of 18 months. The role involves leading on employee relations, advising managers on employment law, and coaching through complex cases.

It requires strong policy interpretation, engaging communication, and partnership with the HR Business Partner and HR Manager across CULA. The post offers flexible and hybrid working, with generous leave and opportunities for professional

Qualifications

• Strong experience advising on and managing a broad range of employee relations cases.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law and interpretation of policies in practice.
• Excellent coaching, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Clear and engaging communication, with the ability to design and deliver briefings or development sessions.

Responsibilities

• Lead on employee relations matters, including performance management and sickness absence management.
• Provide expert, pragmatic advice to managers on employment law and policies.
• Coach managers through complex people issues and build their confidence to manage cases.
• Contribute to design and delivery of management briefings and development sessions across CULA.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Coaching

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

We are looking for an experienced HR Professional to join Cambridge University Libraries and Archives HR Team, as our HR Adviser.This is a key role within the HR Team, providing expert advice and coaching to a range of colleagues across the Institution.The roleAs HR Adviser, you will take the lead on a varied range of employee relations matters. You will work closely with the HR Business Partner and HR Manager, and work in partnership with managers across CULA. You will provide expert advice, build confidence and capability, and help ensure fair, consistent and effective people management.The post is fixed term for 18 months. Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.As HR Adviser you willLead on employee relations matters, including performance management, Dignity at Work, grievance, conduct and sickness absence management.Provide expert, pragmatic advice to managers on employment law and University policies, supporting fair and consistent decision-making.Coach managers through complex people issues, building their confidence and skills to manage cases effectively.Contribute to the design and delivery of management briefings and development sessions across CULA.Work closely with the HR Manager, matrix-manage the HR Coordinator and use workforce data and insights from the wider HR team to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.What we are looking forStrong experience of advising on and managing a broad range of employee relations cases.Sound knowledge of UK employment law and the ability to interpret and apply organisational policies in practice.Excellent coaching, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to constructively challenge and support managers.Clear and engaging communication skills, including the ability to design and deliver briefings or development sessions.What we offerFlexible and hybrid working opportunities such as part-time hours, and compressed working patterns.Generous annual leave allowance of 41 days.Exceptional parental leave (including maternity, paternity / co-parent, adoption and shared parental leave).Discounts on major retailers.Professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships and access to a variety of training courses.We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.For informal enquiries please contact Natalie Deighton, HR Business Partner, [e-mail] closing date: Thursday 29 October 2026 . Interviews date: Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November 2026For further details please refer to the Further Particulars.Please quote reference VE51360 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.Apply online