HR Advisor

OCS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-Winning Employer (Glassdoor)

Digital Learning via OCS Academy

Wagestream flexible pay

Professional Growth opportunities

Retail perks via Wagestream app

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a proactive HR Advisor in Ipswich to support our people strategy. You will handle employee relations, advise managers, and contribute to policy development and change projects.

The role requires experience in employee relations, employment law, and HR systems, with CIPD qualification being advantageous. You will work in a fast-paced environment and help drive engagement and reporting across the UK & Ireland division.

Qualifications

• Experience in Employee Relations and Employment Law.
• Experience in a shared-service HR delivery environment is desirable.
• CIPD qualification is advantageous, support can be provided for the right candidate.
• Experience using a case management tool.
• Proficiency in HR systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management.
• Coach and advise managers on sensitive people matters in line with HR policies and employment legislation.
• Lead or support investigations into ER issues with thorough, fair, and timely resolutions.
• Support managers with organisational change processes including restructures, TUPE, and redundancy consultations.
• Stay up-to-date with changes in employment law and ensure HR practices meet legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law and organisational policies.
• Foster a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Prepare and analyse HR metrics and reports to inform decision-making.
• Monitor KPIs relating to turnover, absence and employee engagement.
• Provide insights to improve HR practices and upskill managers on processes.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

CIPD

Case management

HR systems

Microsoft Office

Communication

Discretion

Fast-paced

Education

CIPD qualification

Tools

Case management tool

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role:

We are seeking a proactive HR Advisor to join our team and play a key role in supporting our organisation’s people strategy. This is a dynamic and varied role, requiring a hands‑on approach to delivering a wide range of generalist HR activities, including employee relations, colleague engagement, HR reporting, organisational change, and policy development.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and absence management.
• Coach and advise managers on handling sensitive people matters in line with HR policies and employment legislation.
• Lead or support investigations into ER issues, ensuring thorough, fair, and timely resolution.
• Support managers with organisational change processes, including restructures, TUPE, and redundancy consultations.
• Keep up to date with changes in employment law and ensure HR practices reflect legal and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with UK employment law and organisational policies.
• Foster a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Prepare and analyse HR metrics and reports to inform decision‑making.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to turnover, absence, and employee engagement.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve HR practices.
• Support the upskilling of managers on people‑related processes.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have the Following

• Experience working within Employee Relations / Employment Law.
• Experience working within a shared‑service HR delivery environment is desirable.
• CIPD qualification is advantageous, although support towards relevant qualifications can be provided for the right candidate.
• Experience using a case management tool.
• Proficiency in HR systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Self‑motivated and able to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award‑winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering. Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award‑Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.