HR Advisor

South Staffordshire Plc; Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-Friendly Leave

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Training & development

Job summary

South Staffordshire Group is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to join the People Team in a hybrid, full-time role based in Walsall. You will advise managers across the business on employee relations, policy interpretation, performance management and absence.

You’ll use data and insight to influence decisions and help deliver a high-performing, inclusive workplace. With CIPD Level 5 or equivalent, you’ll partner with leaders, coach managers, support change initiatives, and ensure compliant, fair

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an HR Advisor or generalist HR role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience coaching line managers on people matters.
• Experience interpreting HR metrics to identify trends, inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert HR guidance on employee relations and performance issues.
• Coach managers to build capability and confidence.
• Advise on employment law, policies and compliant decision-making.
• Support early resolution of workplace issues and mediation where appropriate.
• Collaborate with People Partners and HR colleagues across the Group.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and talent development activities.

Skills

HR Advisor experience

UK employment law

Coaching managers

Employee relations

Data interpretation

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

Salary: £37,925 per annum | Company Benefits | Car Allowance

Location: Walsall, West Midlands | Hybrid Working

Contract: Full Time | Permanent | 37 hours per week

Travel: Regular travel to business unit locations shall be required

About Us

South Staffordshire Group is an integrated services group that operates across two regulated water supply businesses and offers a range of complementary services and products through its non-regulated divisions: waste, water and infrastructure, compliance, service and software, and water consumption supply and logistics. Group companies include: South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, Advanced Engineering Solutions, Hydrosave, G Stow, OnSite, Integrated Water Services, Omega Red, Echo Managed Services, Aptumo, Aqua Direct, and Office Water Coolers.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive HR Advisor to join our People Team and play a key role in delivering our people strategy across the South Staffordshire Group.

As a trusted advisor to managers and leaders, you’ll provide practical, professional HR guidance across the full employee lifecycle, helping to build leadership capability, drive colleague engagement and create a positive employee experience. You’ll work closely with People Partners, HR colleagues and stakeholders across a diverse range of businesses, supporting organisational objectives while promoting a high-performance, inclusive culture.

This role offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact on organisational performance by supporting leaders to improve employee engagement, strenthen retention, reduce absence and proactively manage employee relations matters. You’ll use people insight, data and HR expertise to influence decision-making and help deliver positive business outcomes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys building strong relationships, coaching managers and making a genuine difference across a complex and diverse organisation.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative and forward-thinking People Team at a time of continued growth and transformation. You’ll have the autonomy to influence outcomes, the support to continue your own professional development and the opportunity to make a real impact on colleagues and leaders across the Group.

Whether you’re an experienced HR Advisor looking for broader exposure or seeking a pathway towards a future People Partner role, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills while helping drive positive change across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing expert HR advice and guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, absence, disciplinary, grievance and probation processes.
• Coaching and supporting managers to build confidence and capability in managing people effectively.
• Advising on employment law, company policies and HR best practice to ensure fair, consistent and compliant decision-making.
• Supporting the early and informal resolution of workplace issues, including mediation and conflict resolution where appropriate.
• Working closely with HR Coordinators and People Services colleagues to ensure effective case management and excellent employee support.
• Supporting family-friendly leave, flexible working requests and other employee lifecycle activities.
• Partnering with leaders to identify development needs and implement solutions that enhance management effectiveness and employee engagement.
• Contributing to HR projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives across the Group.
• Supporting talent management, workforce planning, recruitment and onboarding activities.
• Monitoring and analysing people metrics, identifying trends and supporting proactive interventions.
• Supporting employee engagement initiatives, wellbeing activities and internal people networks.
• Assisting with organisational change, consultation activity, and TUPE-related projects where required.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and HR best practice.

Success Measures

In this role, you’ll play a key part in supporting leaders, strengthening people management capability and delivering positive workforce outcomes across your business area. Success will be measured through your contribution towards:

• Reducing employee relations case volumes through proactive people management, manager coaching and early intervention.
• Supporting colleague retention across the Group, contributing towards our target retention rate of over 85%.
• Driving reductions in unplanned absence and supporting a target of less than 3.5%.
• Increasing colleague engagement and participation in employee engagement surveys and initiatives. Building leadership capability through effective coaching, guidance and development support
• Contributing towards improved employee engagement scores and helping create a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

What You’ll Need

We’re looking for someone who can quickly build credibility and establish trusted relationships with managers at all levels.

You’ll Have

• Proven experience in an HR Advisor or similar generalist HR role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience supporting and coaching line managers on a wide range of people matters.
• Experience interpreting people data and HR metrics to identify trends, inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage sensitive and complex situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Experience supporting organisational change, consultation activity, restructures, or TUPE-related projects would be advantageous. The ability to influence and challenge constructively while building trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative and positive attitude with a commitment to continuous improvement.
• High levels of emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between sites.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualified, or equivalent HR experience.

You’ll be a credible, relationship-focused HR professional who enjoys working closely with leaders, balancing employee advocacy with commercial pragmatism to deliver positive outcomes for both people and the business. You’ll be comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, using your HR expertise, judgement and coaching skills to support managers and drive organisational performance.

What You’ll Get

• Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days
• Financial & Life Assurance: Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options
• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents
• Lifestyle & Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers
• Professional Development: Hands-on training and ongoing career development opportunities
• Inclusion & Belonging: Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more
• Performance & Recognition: Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Group, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.

We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process.