HR Advisor

Ellison Institute of Technology; Town of Oxford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Eagle & Child in Oxford seeks an experienced HR Advisor to partner with the leadership team, delivering hands-on HR support across the employee lifecycle in a fast-paced hospitality setting.

You will work with managers and the wider HR team to ensure compliant, effective people practices, fostering a high-performing and customer-focused workforce.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of HR principles, policies, procedures, and employment law.
• Experience handling multiple employee relations issues with sensitivity and discretion.
• Proficient in HR data analysis to drive decision-making and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Employee relations: act as first point of contact for ER matters, manage investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, absence and performance concerns, ensuring UK compliance.
• Recruitment, onboarding and talent management: support hiring, planning, onboarding and talent development.
• Learning and development: assist in implementing training to build capability and service standards.
• Performance management: guide managers on processes, set objectives and support improvement plans.
• Employee engagement and culture: help run engagement initiatives and analyse feedback to improve experience.
• HR operations, analytics and reporting: maintain records and produce metrics on turnover, absence, recruitment and engagement.
• Policy and compliance: ensure adherence to UK employment law and internal policies.

Skills

HR knowledge

Employee relations

Data analytics

Communication

Job description

Your Role

EIT, in partnership with Foster + Partners, is restoring and reimagining the historic Eagle & Child pub in Oxford - a landmark venue renowned for its rich literary and cultural heritage. As the pub enters an exciting new chapter, we are seeking an experienced HR Advisor to provide dedicated people support for The Eagle & Child, ensuring an exceptional employee experience in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This role will act as the primary HR partner for The Eagle & Child leadership team, supporting all aspects of the employee lifecycle. Working closely with managers and collaborating with the wider EIT HR Business Partners, the HR Advisor will provide practical, commercially focused HR support, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, company policies, and best practice while helping to build a high-performing, engaged and customer-focused workforce. The successful candidate will bring strong HR generalist experience alongside a hospitality background, enabling them to understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with managing teams in a premium hospitality setting.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations Act as the first point of contact for employee relations matters within The Eagle & Child. Manage investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, absence management and performance concerns, ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation and internal policies. Provide timely, pragmatic advice to managers, escalating complex matters to the HR Business Partner where appropriate. Foster positive employee relations and support an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.
• Recruitment, Onboarding and Talent Management Partner with hiring managers and the Talent team to attract and recruit high-calibre hospitality professionals. Support workforce planning activities, ensuring staffing levels meet operational requirements. Coordinate onboarding and induction programmes to ensure new employees are effectively integrated into the business. Work with managers to identify talent, succession opportunities and career development pathways.
• Learning and Development Support the implementation of learning and development initiatives that enhance employee capability and service excellence. Identify skills gaps and training needs across front-of-house, kitchen and operational teams. Promote continuous professional development and support leadership development for managers and supervisors.
• Performance Management Provide guidance and coaching to managers on performance management processes. Support managers in setting objectives, delivering feedback and managing performance improvement plans. Encourage a culture of high performance, accountability and recognition.
• Employee Engagement and Culture Support employee engagement activities and initiatives that reinforce EIT and The Eagle & Child values. Gather and analyse employee feedback, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement. Work closely with operational leaders to maintain a positive and engaging employee experience.
• HR Operations, Analytics and Reporting Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation. Produce HR reports and analyse people metrics including turnover, absence, recruitment and engagement data. Use data-driven insights to identify trends and recommend improvements to people practices.
• Policy and Compliance Ensure compliance with UK employment legislation and company policies. Support audits and compliance activities relating to people processes. Assist in reviewing and implementing HR policies and procedures relevant to the hospitality operation. Promote best practice in employee wellbeing, health and safety, and workforce management.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Human Resources Knowledge: Working knowledge of HR principles, policies, procedures, and employment law.
• Employee Relations : Strong experience handling multiple employee relations issues with sensitivity and discretion.
• Data Analytics: Proficient in HR data analysis, using metrics to drive decision-making and provide actionable insights.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.