HR Advisor (1FTE, FTC) - Internal Vacancy for RCA Employees Only

Royal College of Art; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal College of Art in London is recruiting an experienced HR Advisor on a fixed-term contract for RCA employees. You will provide expert HR advice to managers and staff across a broad ER portfolio, including conduct, capability, grievance, and sickness absence, while guiding on policies and employment law.

The role covers UKVI sponsorship responsibilities, training, policy development, and handling sabbaticals, flexible/hybrid working, and organisational change.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a diverse and complex ER caseload.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience with UKVI sponsorship and visa routes.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality HR advice to managers and colleagues across the RCA.
• Manage complex ER casework including conduct, capability, grievance and sickness absence.
• Advise on HR policies, employment law and terms and conditions and contribute to policy development.
• Support family-friendly leave, flexible working and hybrid working arrangements.

Skills

HR advisory

Stakeholder management

UK employment law

UKVI sponsorship

Tools

Sponsorship Management System

Job description

HR Advisor (1FTE, FTC) - Internal Vacancy for RCA Employees Only

Date advertised

29 September 2026

6 October 2026

School/Area

Administration

Programme/Department

People and Culture

Required hours

Full Time

Site

Kensington, London, United Kingdom/Hybrid

Fixed term from 1.11.26 to 31.8.27

About the role:

We are looking for an experienced HR Advisor to join our HR team on a fixed-term basis, providing high-quality, pragmatic HR advice and support to managers and colleagues across the Royal College of Art.

This is a varied and rewarding role, offering the opportunity to work across a broad range of employee relations and people management matters. You will manage complex casework, coach and advise managers, and provide expert guidance on HR policies, employment legislation and terms and conditions.

You will play an important role in supporting colleagues through matters including conduct, capability, grievance, dignity at work and sickness absence, as well as organisational change, restructures, redundancy and redeployment. You will also advise on family-friendly leave, flexible working and hybrid working arrangements.

The role also includes UKVI sponsorship responsibilities, including issuing Certificates of Sponsorship and advising on relevant visa routes, alongside job evaluation, management training, HR projects and policy development.

About you:

We are looking for an HR professional with substantial experience of independently managing a diverse and complex ER caseload and providing confident, practical advice to managers.

You will have:

• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience coaching and influencing managers and working with senior stakeholders and Trade Union representatives.
• Practical experience of UKVI sponsorship, including the Sponsorship Management System and Certificates of Sponsorship.
• Experience of job evaluation and supporting organisational change.
• The ability to deliver engaging training and workshops for managers.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to research HR issues and present clear advice and information.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working across a broad HR portfolio and wants to make a positive contribution to the experience of staff and managers at the RCA.

Closing for applications: 11.59pm on 6 October 2026

The Royal College of Art (RCA) aims to foster an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected.

We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU

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