HR Advisor — ER Expert & Data-Driven Support

LeighAcademiesTrust; Strood; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Leigh Academies Trust is seeking a practical, proactive People Advisor to join our Central Services People team in a full-time, maternity cover role. You will deliver HR advice, handle ER casework, and manage HRIS data with a focus on compliant processes across the Trust.

You will work alongside People Partners to support line managers and staff, maintain data accuracy, and contribute to workforce planning and staff wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in an HR advisory or senior officer capacity with strong knowledge of UK employment law and ER casework.
• Hands-on experience managing HRIS platforms (iTrent) and ticketing systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as the direct point of contact for line managers and staff via the Halo helpdesk, delivering practical guidance on policies, family leave, flexible working, and everyday employment matters.
• Guide managers through ER casework - including grievances, disciplinaries, capability, and absence management - and support formal hearing chairs with clear advice, minute-taking, and robust investigation reports.
• Maintain high data accuracy in iTrent, handling contractual adjustments, promotions, transfers, offboarding, and payroll-impacting changes in line with GDPR.
• Produce and analyse data reports on absence patterns, turnover, and trends to help shape proactive interventions.
• Champion staff recognition schemes (LAT Moments, Viva Engage) and help signpost staff to wellbeing resources, including our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Provide administrative and advisory support during organisational change, restructures, and TUPE processes.

Skills

HR advisory

UK employment law

ER casework

HRIS (iTrent)

Ticketing systems

Plain-English advice

Data management

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Leigh Academies Trust is seeking a practical, proactive People Advisor to join our Central Services People team in a full-time, maternity cover role. You will deliver HR advice, handle ER casework, and manage HRIS data with a focus on compliant processes across the Trust.

You will work alongside People Partners to support line managers and staff, maintain data accuracy, and contribute to workforce planning and staff wellbeing initiatives.