HR Advisor: ER & People Operations Lead

LeighAcademiesTrust; Rochester; 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. Working with our People Partners, you will deliver high-quality HR advice, manage ER casework, and ensure accurate data handling across the Trust.

This full-time role offers autonomy, opportunities to support organisation change, and involvement in staff wellbeing initiatives (LAT Moments, Viva Engage).

Qualifications

• Experience in an HR advisory or senior officer capacity with knowledge of UK employment law and ER casework.
• Hands-on experience managing HRIS platforms (iTrent desirable) and ticketing systems.
• Ability to provide objective, plain-English advice to managers while maintaining a human-centred approach.
• Excellent attention to detail across payroll updates, data management, and confidential record-keeping.
• Proactive team player contributing to equity, diversity, inclusion, and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Act as the direct point of contact for line managers and staff via Halo helpdesk, delivering practical HR guidance on policies and everyday employment matters.
• Guide managers through ER casework including grievances, disciplinaries, capability and absence management, and support hearing chairs with clear advice and investigations.
• Maintain high data accuracy in iTrent and manage contractual changes in line with GDPR.
• Produce and analyse data reports on absence patterns, turnover, and trends to shape proactive interventions.
• Champion staff recognition schemes (LAT Moments, Viva Engage) and signpost wellbeing resources including Employee Assistance Programme.
• Provide administrative and advisory support during organisational change, restructures, and TUPE processes.

Skills

HR advisory

ER casework

Data accuracy

Communication

UK employment law

Caseload management

Tools

iTrent

Ticketing systems

Job description

Leigh Academies Trust is seeking a practical, proactive People Advisor to join our Central Services People team. Working with our People Partners, you will deliver high-quality HR advice, manage ER casework, and ensure accurate data handling across the Trust.

This full-time role offers autonomy, opportunities to support organisation change, and involvement in staff wellbeing initiatives (LAT Moments, Viva Engage).