HR Advisor

Diocese of Portsmouth; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organisation in Portsmouth is seeking an HR Advisor to provide high-quality guidance on HR matters, support line managers, and contribute to a positive workplace culture. This role requires a minimum CIPD Level 5 qualification and understanding of UK employment law. Benefits include 25 days of annual leave and a contributory pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Free life assurance

Employee wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Minimum CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Experience in managing change and different approaches.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector or public sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to line managers on employee relations issues.
• Resolve complex employee relation issues and conduct investigations.
• Support line managers in performance management practices.
• Report on HR analytics monthly and quarterly.

Skills

Understanding of UK employment law

Problem-solving ability

Proficient in HR systems

Data analysis

Change management

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Are you an experienced and proactive HR professional with a strong understanding of UK employment law and a passion for supporting people? We are seeking a confident and capable HR Advisor to join our Diocese HR Team, providing high-quality advice and guidance to managers and employees across a wide range of HR matters. This is a pivotal time to join our team as we continue to develop our HR infrastructure and support the implementation of our 10-year Mission Plan. You'll play a key role in shaping our HR function and contributing to a positive and inclusive working culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to line managers on employee relations (ER) issues e.g. policies, performance management, end-to-end absence management including return to work meetings, reporting and occupational health referrals.
• Resolve complex employee relation issues and conduct investigations where necessary.
• Provide advice to managers across all policy and practice areas, for example on family friendly policies such as maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, carers leave, etc.
• Support the maintenance of existing policy documentation and make changes where applicable.
• Proactively take responsibility for the adherence and implementation of HR policies.
• Support line managers in the management of employees in probation, and where necessary extension cases.
• Support line managers in performance management practices, objective setting and performance improvement plans (PIPs).
• HR Analytics: Report on HR analytics monthly and quarterly for the HR Manager, for example on headcount, sickness, recruitment analytics, staff turnover and remuneration reports.
• Benefits and Payroll: Support the HR Manager with reward strategies and implementation; prepare payroll changes each month for HR Manager sign off; assist the HR Manager with annual benchmark surveys; support the HR Manager in liaison with benefit providers.
• Talent Acquisition and onboarding: Work with the HR team for efficient and accurate end-to-end recruitment across the Diocese; coordinate and execute recruitment processes with agency, posting adverts, liaising with line managers for shortlisting, offers and onboarding; ensure new joiner inductions are organised and all documentation received and checked; in the absence of HR Administrator produce relevant documentation following promotions, job title changes, salary increases and update HR records.
• Learning & Development: Identify learning needs and appropriate methods of meeting needs cost-effectively; support the HR Manager in delivery of training including annual conferences and line manager training; ensure training requirements for health and safety, first aid, fire safety, data protection, cyber security and EDI are met and completed.
• General: Regular review of data integrity and updates to the HRIS including audits; drive workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention strategies; respond to queries from the HR inbox; participate in HR projects and new initiatives; update HR intranet pages; contribute to HR‑related projects such as organisational change, restructures and employee engagement initiatives; keep up to date with developments in employment law and HR best practice; support volunteer management; undertake other reasonable tasks as requested by the HR Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum CIPD Level 5 qualification.
• Experience in managing change and different approaches.
• Experience of supporting organisational change and employee engagement initiatives.
• Proven problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Proficient in HR systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience of change management.
• Experience working in the reward arena and adept at data analysis.
• Experience in the not-for-profit sector or public sector.
• Ability to think systemically to align different elements of the organisation’s values, culture, structures, people policies and practices to maximise performance.
• Able to apply legal knowledge and judgement to people practices.
• Able to demonstrate evidence-based practice in decision making.
• Able to explore stakeholder needs and concerns using a range of methods.
• Understands and can influence the organisation to develop and maintain a positive culture and healthy working environment.

Travel & Other Requirements

Occasional travel across the Diocese is required. A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential. You must have a valid UK Right to Work – the Diocese does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.

Desirable

• Working towards or holds CIPD Level 7 qualification.
• Experience of change management (duplicate but keep).

About the Diocese

The Diocese of Portsmouth spans Hampshire, Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, and the Channel Islands. We support 87 parishes and 50 schools, serving over 27,000 practising Catholics and 32,000 children and their families. Our work is meaningful, community-focused, and values-driven.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Free life assurance.
• Employee wellbeing programme.

If you are inspired by the idea of working in a values-driven environment where your efforts will have a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.