HR Advisor

Activate Learning; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An education group in the United Kingdom seeks an HR Advisor to provide proactive HR support across multiple campuses. Responsibilities include guiding employee relations, managing complex cases, and utilizing HR data for decision-making. Key qualifications include CIPD Level 3 and experience in fast-paced HR environments. The role offers a hybrid working model and a range of employee benefits.

Benefits

Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards

Comprehensive wellbeing resources

Access to Health Cash Plan

Continuous professional development opportunities

Generous Annual Leave

Flexible working arrangements

Competitive salaries

On-Site Facilities

Qualifications

• Proven capability in managing a diverse and fast-paced employee relations caseload.
• Solid understanding of employment law and HR processes.
• High attention to detail with strong accuracy in HR documentation.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders across the campuses for employee relations.
• Support complex casework with the HR Business Partner.
• Analyse HR data to support evidence-based decision-making.

Skills

Employee relations management

HR policy compliance

Coaching abilities

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

CIPD Level 3 qualified

Willingness to work towards Level 5

Tools

HRIS tools

HR analytics

Job description

About the role: HR Advisor

Activate Learning is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive HR Advisor to join our dynamic and high-performing Human Resources team. As part of our collaborative and forward-thinking HR function, you will work closely with specialists across Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Diversity & Inclusion, HRIS, HR Services, and HR Business Partnering. Together, we deliver proactive, solutions-focused HR support, champion organisational development, and promote a coaching-led culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, engagement, and high performance.

In this multifaceted HR Advisor role, you will partner with key stakeholders across our eight campuses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Surrey. You will provide expert guidance on a broad range of employee relations (ER) matters, including performance management, absence management, disciplinary procedures, grievance handling, and capability issues. You’ll coach managers to build confidence and consistency in applying HR policies, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and promoting best practice across the organisation.

You will also work in partnership with an HR Business Partner to support more complex casework, contributing to effective and timely ER case management and positive outcomes. Your ability to analyse HR data, generate insights, and support evidence-based decision-making will be essential in helping leaders deliver strong people management and workforce planning decisions.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a growing and evolving organisation undergoing significant transformation. We offer a hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days per week on-site at either Reading College or Oxford College, with travel to additional campuses as required.

Please note: The official job title for this position is Associate Human Resources Business Partner

What Do You Need to Be a Successful HR Advisor?

You will bring prior experience within a generalist HR or HR advisory position, with proven capability in managing a diverse and fast-paced employee relations caseload. You’ll have a solid understanding of employment law, HR compliance, and key HR processes including absence, disciplinary, grievance, and capability procedures. You will be confident using HR analytics, HR systems, and people data to support managers, identify trends, and influence positive people outcomes.

Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills are essential, along with the ability to build strong, trusted relationships at all organisational levels. A proactive approach, strong attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise competing demands will be key to your success.

Essential Requirements

• CIPD Level 3 qualified and willing to work towards Level 5
• Demonstrable experience in a fast-paced HR environment managing multiple ER cases
• High attention to detail with strong accuracy in HR documentation
• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently in both written and verbal formats
• Strong coaching skills and the ability to influence managers and stakeholders
• Confident using HR systems, HRIS tools, and people metrics to support decision-making

Who We Are

Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning. We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish.

When you work for Activate Learning, you’re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone.

Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself.

Activate Learning Group Employee Benefits

• Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards: Celebrating staff for their dedication and accomplishments aligned to our award-winning Learning Philosophy.
• Wellbeing & Resources Groups: Comprehensive range of resources, guides and tools to support staff wellbeing
• Company benefits: Including free eye tests and will writing, plus access to a Health Cash Plan covering optical, dental, health screening, and therapy treatments for you and your dependents.
• Learning and Development: continuous opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement through our in-house L&D team
• Teaching Support: Tailored induction and development programs for teaching staff.
• Pension Schemes: Teacher and Local Government pension schemes for AL staff
• Generous Annual Leave: Up to 6 weeks paid leave
• Flexible Working: Options include hybrid and remote, term time only, and flexible working patterns.
• Competitive salaries: Annual incremental progression and a twelve point pay scale for teachers.
• On-Site Facilities: Free parking at all campuses, refectories, hair and beauty salons & gym access.

For a comprehensive list of all of our benefits please visit our work-with-us/employee-benefits

Applicants should apply at the earliest opportunity; closed vacancies will prevent application form submission.

Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts.

Activate Learning is committed to safeguarding and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a DBS check at the appropriate level.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK, we do not sponsor work permits. Work permits from other organisations are unacceptable as proof of right to work in the UK.

Applications are encouraged from all candidates who meet or exceed minimum criteria, regardless of age, disability, gender, orientation, race, religion, or ethnicity.

Activate Learning are committed to employing people with disabilities and will ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. If you require any reasonable adjustments either at application or interview stage, please contact the talent team directly.

Recruitment agencies who submit unsolicited CVs to any partner or employee at Activate Learning, have no authority to enter an arrangement. Recruitment agencies engaging with Activate Learning Talent Team will be on our PSL.