HR Advisor

Stephens Scown LLP; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

25 days holiday + bank holidays and my

Birthday leave

Private medical insurance

Group life assurance

Wellbeing support and development

Job summary

Stephens Scown LLP is seeking an experienced, proactive HR Advisor to join our busy HR team. You will be a trusted point of contact for managers and colleagues, providing practical, commercially minded HR advice across a broad range of people matters.

This full-time, hybrid role involves employee relations, absence management, policies and compliance, plus support with recruitment, wellbeing and engagement. Office attendance is required 3–4 days per week, with flexibility beyond core hours.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in an HR Advisor or equivalent.
• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience in professional services, ideally in a law firm.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, commercially minded HR advice across a broad range of people matters.
• Focus on employee relations, absence management, policies and compliance.
• Support recruitment, wellbeing and employee engagement activities.
• Assist the wider HR team with day-to-day advisory support.

Skills

Employee relations

HR advisory

Employment law knowledge

Communication skills

HRIS proficiency

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

HRIS / HR information systems

Job description

At Stephens Scown, every day is what we make it. So we make it matter. Doing notable work for notable clients, building our skills with talented people and having a positive impact on our communities sits at the heart of everything we do.

We don't just say it, we live it. Our commitment to our people, clients and communities runs through our DNA. We are employee-owned, we are a Certified B Corporation TM , and we are featured in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list - ensuring our culture and ethos of going above and beyond for our people, our colleagues and our communities is recognised nationally

The Role

We are looking for an experienced, proactive HR Advisor to join our busy HR team. You will be a trusted point of contact for managers and colleagues, providing practical, supportive, commercially minded HR advice across a broad range of people matters.

No two days will be the same. This generalist role will give you exposure to the full HR mix, with a strong focus on employee relations, absence management, policies and procedures, compliance activity and day-to-day advisory support. You will also assist the wider HR team with recruitment, wellbeing, and employee engagement activities.

This is a full-time role, working Monday to Friday 9am-5.15pm, with flexibility needed beyond standard office hours when business needs require. There is the opportunity for a mix of office and home working, with office attendance required for a minimum of 3-4 days per week.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on HR professional who is comfortable with a varied workload, where you can really add value from day one.

About You

• You are already working as an HR Advisor or in a similar generalist HR role, and you are confident supporting the full breadth of the HR mix, in particular employee relations.
• You will bring a strong, up-to-date understanding of employment law and HR best practice, and you know how to apply it in a practical, balanced way.
• You enjoy a varied, fast-moving workload and can balance multiple priorities while staying calm, organised and solutions-focused. You will be proactive, adaptable and confident communicating with people at all levels, with confidentiality, professionalism and attention to detail at the core of how you work.
• You are comfortable using IT and HR information systems, and can use data and systems confidently to support accurate, efficient HR delivery.
• You will have a minimum of 3 years recent experience working as an HR Advisor or equivalent
• You are CIPD level 5 or equivalent
• Previous experience working in professional services, ideally in a law firm, is preferred

What we can offer you

• We offer a competitive salary and an impressive array of benefits and rewards. Not least of these is through the Firm's employee-ownership status, where every employee is listened to, helps to realise our vision and receives an equal share in our annual profit-share.
• Our hybrid working model and approach to flexible working enables our people to share their working time between home and the office to support a healthy work / life balance.
• Employee benefits - including 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and your birthday), private medical insurance, group life assurance, access to a comprehensive range of wellbeing support, and three additional days' paid leave to support good causes.
• Progression opportunities - including, regular training, qualification options, mentorship, and continued professional development.

Why Stephens Scown?

Working here is something else entirely. It's a place where we can step up to tough challenges with people so good they inspire us to be better. We proudly work in a beautiful part of the country, go beyond expectations and achieve things that matter.

Owning It Matters

We're the UK's first major employee-owned law firm. But more than this, we're people-centred, people-powered. We do what it takes to help each other overcome every challenge. Whatever's happening in the world, empowering our people is what matters.

Our communities and colleagues give us a lot to be thankful for. So we try to make them feel as valued as our clients. Whether we're digging deep and giving our time and money, picking up rubbish from our streets and beaches, at Stephens Scown, if it's right, it matters.

We might have the expertise of a top city firm, but outside our offices there's not a skyscraper in sight. Whether we're getting to know our clients on our local beach or having fun in the park with colleagues, we're all about living a life enriched by work. Making the fun matter.

All offers of employment at Stephens Scown are subject to Basic level of Disclosure and BarringService check. Any information gathered in relation to the DBS process is held in in accordancewith all relevant data protection regulations. Having a criminal record will not necessarilybar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstancesand background of your offences. At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an openand measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might berelevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the positionsought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment. We make every subject of a DBSDisclosure aware of the existence of the DBS Code of Practice. This is available onhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice