HR Advisor - 12 months FTC

Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS contributions

Employee rewards

Wellbeing centre

Annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working

On-site gym

Free parking

Job summary

Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to join during a period of organisational change. You will manage your own caseload, provide pragmatic HR advice across several schools and support leadership through complex employee relations and transformation projects.

You'll work closely with the People team, advising on disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability matters, while building strong partnerships with school leaders and stakeholders to ensure consistent,

Qualifications

• Practical experience advising on employee relations cases.
• Sound knowledge of employment law.
• Ability to challenge and support managers constructively.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage employee relations caseload across multiple schools.
• Advise and coach leaders on complex people issues.
• Support organisational change, consultation and TUPE engagement as needed.
• Advise on safeguarding-related employment aspects.
• Contribute to People projects, policy development and continuous improvement.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching leaders

Job description

We're looking for an experienced HR Advisor to join our team at an exciting and transformational time for Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust. With significant organisational change underway, this is an opportunity to gain valuable experience of complex employee relations, organisational transformation and workforce consultation, while making a real difference across our family of schools.

Working closely with school leaders and an experienced People team, you'll have the autonomy to manage your own caseload, influence decisions and contribute to shaping how we support our people through change.

37 hours per week All Year round Fixed-term Contract for 1 year BTCT Points 13 - 15, up to GBP37,563 starting salary depending on experience

About The Role

You'll provide confident, pragmatic and professional HR advice across a portfolio of schools, including:

• Independently managing employee relations casework, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability matters.
• Advising and coaching leaders on complex and sensitive people issues.
• Supporting organisational change, consultation and trade union engagement.
• Advising on the employment aspects of safeguarding concerns.
• Contributing to People projects, policy development and continuous improvement.

About you

We're looking for someone with practical experience of independently advising on employee relations cases, sound employment law knowledge and the confidence to constructively challenge and support managers.

You don't need experience in education. We welcome applications from HR professionals across different sectors who can bring fresh perspectives, strong professional judgement and a collaborative approach.

Why join us?

We care about our staff and are committed to creating a positive and supportive working environment. In addition to salary, we offer:

• Local Government Pension Scheme with employer contributions of over 19%
• Employee Reward Scheme, including high street discounts and access to a staff wellbeing centre
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Flexible working oppertunities including some working from home
• The opportunity to make a real difference across a family of schools serving communities throughout Somerset.

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity during a period of organisational transition, offering the chance to make a meaningful contribution while gaining experience that will strengthen your future HR career.

If you're an experienced HR practitioner who enjoys variety, responsibility and making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 1st November, at 11:59pm

Anticipated interview date: Thursday 5th November 2026

We believe in hiring for potential and this means that we value individuals for the knowledge skills and experience that they have developed in every aspect of their lives. If you don t feel that you meet all of the criteria listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply.

We care about our staff and provide a number of benefits in addition to salary including a positive and supportive working environment, generous employer pension contribution, generous annual leave entitlement for all-year round staff, on-site gyms, free parking, access to a retail discounts platform and Employee Assistance Programme. Helping you achieve a good work life balance is important to us. Lots of our colleagues work flexibly including part time hours and/or job shares and we are happy to discuss these opportunities with you.

We truly believe that diversity of thought, culture, background and perspective secure the best outcomes for our students. We strive to build teams that represent our local communities and welcome applications from individuals who identify as members of an under-represented group and in particular individuals who identify as BAME, disabled or LGBT. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Safeguarding Statement

Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share its commitment. Our mission is that all children achieve. This post is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). A comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on all applicants, which will include a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).