HR Direct Advisor

NHS Blood and Transplant; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bristol seeks an HR Direct Advisor to provide expert HR advice nationally. The role demands experience in employee relations, strong communication skills, and knowledge of HR policies. It's a hybrid position with ongoing development support, offering extensive training and competitive leave. You will manage HR queries and support managers in a dynamic environment. Apply before the closing date for this exciting opportunity.

Benefits

Extensive induction and training programme

Hybrid working model

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

NHS pension scheme

Access to training and development activities

Qualifications

• Experience with employee relations, specifically attendance management.
• Experience advising managers on HR policies.
• Experience in a busy HR function in public or private sector.
• Knowledge of UK legislation on employment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for HR queries.
• Advise on contractual terms and HR policies.
• Support managers in HR processes.
• Record calls to track activity.
• Assist with HR administrative processes.
• Contribute to case reviews and team knowledge.

Skills

Employee relations

HR policies interpretation

Attention to detail

Communication

IT proficiency

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)

Job description

This post is for a full-time temporary position, on either a 6-month or a 12-month basis. The post is a hybrid role, working remotely with 2 days based at Bristol Filton Blood Centre.

Job Summary

The HR Direct Advisor role is based in Filton, Bristol and is an integral part in the People Directorate in delivering an effective HR Advisory service by providing expert advice and support to staff and managers nationally. It involves answering HR‑related queries by phone or e‑mail, ensuring compliance with NHSBT Policy, employment law and best practice, and managing a portfolio of attendance cases to closure or escalation.

You will undertake an extensive induction and training programme and receive ongoing development to support you in your role and achieving your career ambitions.

This role provides an excellent level of experience at the outset of your career in HR with exposure to a broad variety of policies and HR issues across a diverse spectrum of roles including drivers, support grade nursing and scientific roles, professional nurses, scientists and doctors, and administrative and managerial roles across the UK.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities

As part of a dedicated team of professional HR advisors, you will serve as the central first point of contact to answer HR queries for managers and staff nationally by telephone and e‑mail. Your responsibilities include:

• Advising on the interpretation of contractual terms and conditions, HR policies and employment law.
• Supporting managers by advising and coaching them in a range of HR processes and managing a portfolio of attendance absence.
• Answering queries quickly and recognising when to refer more complex cases to specialist HR colleagues.
• Recording all calls to track activity, communications and provide management information.
• Undertaking HR administrative processes such as supporting maternity applications.
• Assisting with the review and updating of the knowledge database.
• Supporting and contributing in a coaching style in case reviews and sharing knowledge within the wider HR Direct team.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of dealing with employee relations issues, specifically in relation to attendance management.
• Experience of advising and influencing managers on the interpretation of HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment.
• Experience of working in a busy HR function in either the public or private sector with an awareness of office procedures.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of UK legislation, including sickness absence, maternity/paternity provisions, data protection and freedom of information.
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and PowerPoint).

Qualifications and Training

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience.

About Us

At NHS Blood and Transplant, we’re proudly building an organisation that delivers exceptional care to our donors and their families. We value inclusion, excellence and the opportunity to change lives every day. We offer a comprehensive induction and training programme, competitive pension scheme and a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning.

What We Offer You

• You will undertake an extensive induction and training programme and receive ongoing development to support your career ambitions.
• Hybrid working: 2 days office‑based and the remainder working remotely.
• NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role allows.
• 27 days per year plus 8 bank/public holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time); leave increases to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years of service.
• As part of the NHS career pathway with the Thrive programme, you’ll have access to a wide range of learning and development activities.
• NHS pension scheme – a defined benefit scheme. Further details can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions.

Three small words, one big difference – Caring, Expert and Quality.

Together we’ll save and improve more lives than ever.

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Sunday 9th November 2025. The vacancy may close sooner if we receive a high volume of applications, so we recommend applying early.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on Monday 24 November / Tuesday 25 November subject to confirmation.

For informal enquiries please contact:

Name: Kirstie Jefferies
Job Title: HR Direct Team Leader
Contact: [e-mail]

Please view the attached recruitment profile which is a summary of the detailed Job Description and Person Specification.