HR Advisor

Michael Page; Braintree; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is partnering with a large, operationally focused organisation seeking an experienced HR Advisor in Tilbury. The role focuses on employee relations, supporting managers through complex people matters, and working within a heavily unionised environment.

The HR Advisor will handle casework, coach managers, and collaborate with trade unions to ensure compliant, practical HR solutions across the business. A CIPD credential is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Experience as HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor.
• Experience in a unionised environment and engaging with trade union representatives.
• Background in operational sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, transport or similar workforce-heavy contexts.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.
• Coach and advise managers on HR policies, procedures and best practice.
• Build effective relationships with operational stakeholders across the business.
• Support consultation processes, organisational change initiatives and workforce planning.
• Work with trade union representatives and employee forums.
• Support wellbeing, occupational health and absence management processes.
• Assist with HR projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analyse people data and trends to support decision-making and improve outcomes.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Change management

Employment law

Unionised environment

Influencing managers

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

Client Details

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR Advisor in Tilbury to join a large, operationally focused organisation with a heavily unionised workforce. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys employee relations, thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to play a key role in supporting managers through complex people matters.

Our client is a well-established organisation operating within a large-scale, operational environment with a diverse workforce and significant employee relations activity. The business plays an important role within its sector and offers employees the opportunity to make a genuine impact while working alongside experienced HR professionals and operational leaders. Due to continued growth, they are now seeking a HR Advisor on a permanent basis, who must have experience working within a unionised environment.

Description

Reporting to the HR Operations Manager, the HR Advisor will provide practical and commercially focused HR support across a broad range of employee relations and people matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a varied caseload of employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.
• Coaching and advising managers on HR policies, procedures and best practice.
• Building effective relationships with operational stakeholders across the business.
• Supporting consultation processes, organisational change initiatives and workforce planning activities.
• Working collaboratively with recognised trade union representatives and employee forums.
• Supporting wellbeing, occupational health and absence management processes.
• Assisting with HR projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analysing people data and trends to support decision-making and improve employee outcomes.
• Ensuring HR practices remain compliant with employment legislation and internal policies.

Profile

The successful applicant will demonstrate:

• Previous experience in an HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor position.
• Strong employee relations experience with the ability to independently manage complex cases.
• Experience working within a unionised environment and engaging constructively with trade union representatives.
• A background in operational sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, transport, utilities, ports, public sector, housing or similar workforce-heavy environments.
• Confidence influencing and challenging managers at varying levels of seniority.
• Pragmatic, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
• Strong employment law knowledge and the ability to apply this in a practical way.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience is advantageous.

Job Offer

• Opportunity to join a large and complex operational environment.
• Exposure to significant employee relations and workforce challenges.
• Supportive HR leadership team with opportunities to develop your expertise.
• Competitive benefits package.
• Long-term career development within a stable and growing organisation