HR Advisor

St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Working daily allowance for food and drinks

Free car parking

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Discounts at restaurants and shops

Death in service

Access to LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

A prestigious higher education institution in Cambridge is seeking a proactive HR Advisor to join their evolving HR team. The role focuses on employee relations, recruitment, and HR operations, offering flexible part-time hours across three to four days a week. Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of UK employment law, and experience in HR processes. Enjoy a supportive work environment and benefits including holidays and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience as a HR Advisor or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Experience managing recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Experience with learning and development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Advise managers on disciplinary and performance matters.
• Manage mid-level recruitment and onboarding activities.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures.
• Support appraisal delivery, coaching, and capability conversations.
• Manage mid-level recruitment, including job design and diversity initiatives.
• Oversee family-friendly leave processes and flexible working requests.
• Coordinate apprenticeship agreements and onboarding activities.
• Maintain HR systems and provide first-line policy guidance.
• Ensure compliance with right-to-work checks and criminal record screening.
• Process subject access and FOI requests for the HR team.
• Provide administrative support where required.
• Deliver and document training and development activities.
• Create and support staff engagement events.
• Use HR data to identify trends and inform action.
• Contribute to policy reviews and HR projects.
• Share best practice and uphold College policies.
• Suggest and implement improvements to HR processes.
• Adhere to Health & Safety procedures and support College upkeep.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Proficiency in HR systems

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Proactive and organised

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Office

Job description

• Location: Cambridge, St Edmunds College

St Edmund’s College is seeking a proactive and experienced HR Advisor to join our evolving HR team.

In this newly created role, you’ll work closely with managers across the College, providing expert guidance and coaching throughout the employee lifecycle. You’ll have a particular focus on employee relations, learning and development, and using data to drive continuous improvement. Your support will empower managers to lead confidently and create inclusive, high-performing teams.

This part-time role offers flexibility across three or four working days per week, with Tuesday as a required day. We’re happy to explore working patterns that suit your needs, though regular onsite presence is essential.

Key duties and responsibilities

Employee Relations and Manager Support

• Advise managers on disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, and performance matters
• Prepare documentation for investigations and hearings
• Facilitate reasonable adjustments and Access to Work processes
• Support appraisal delivery, coaching, and capability conversations

Recruitment & onboarding

• Manage mid-level recruitment, including job design and diversity initiatives
• Oversee family-friendly leave processes and flexible working requests
• Coordinate apprenticeship agreements and onboarding activities

HR Operations & compliance

• Maintain HR systems and provide first-line policy guidance
• Ensure compliance with right-to-work checks and criminal record screening
• Process subject access and FOI requests for the HR team
• Provide administrative support where required
• Deliver and document training and development activities
• Create and support staff engagement events
• Use HR data to identify trends and inform action

Policy, projects & continuous improvement

• Contribute to policy reviews and HR projects
• Share best practice and uphold College policies
• Suggest and implement improvements to HR processes
• Adhere to Health & Safety procedures and support College upkeep

More information about the role can be found in the attached job description .

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience as a HR Advisor or a similar role.
• Experience supporting managers with ER matters.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Experience with learning and development opportunities.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build credibility at all levels.
• Proficiency in HR systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, multitask, and handle a high workload effectively.
• Ability to work independently and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Proactive and organised

If you feel that you fit most but not all of the above criteria, we would still love to hear from you.

As well as a great salary and friendly team you will also receive:

• Working daily allowance for food and drinks*
• Free car parking (where available)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (increasing with length of service)
• Discounts at restaurants, shops & more
• Death in service
• Access to LinkedIn Learning & Business Disability Forum

About St Edmund’s College

St Edmund’s College is a diverse and welcoming mature college within the University of Cambridge. Known for our friendly, inclusive atmosphere, we’re proud to be a place where people of all backgrounds feel at home and can thrive. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all identities and lived experiences.

To discuss any aspect of the role, please contact Hannah Makepeace, HR Manager on [e-mail]

The deadline for applications is 09:00GMT on Sunday 22 March 2026.