Human Resources Advisor

North East Combined Authority; North East; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

North East Combined Authority is seeking an experienced Human Resources Advisor to provide practical HR advice across the full employee lifecycle. You will work with managers and staff to ensure fair, compliant practices and high-quality HR support.

Key duties include recruitment support, absence management, policy implementation, and data reporting. The role emphasizes a proactive, customer-focused service and requires strong communication and organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Experience as an HR advisor or generalist HR role.
• Good understanding of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Builds strong working relationships and communicates confidently with people at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Manages a varied workload and prioritises effectively.
• Positive, solutions-focused approach to challenges.
• Committed to providing an outstanding customer-focused HR service.
• Holds a CIPD Level 5 qualification or is working towards one (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Provide first-line HR advice and guidance to managers and employees.
• Support employee relations matters including absence management, disciplinary/grievance and capability processes.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and retention activities.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are applied consistently and effectively.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems.
• Produce and analyse HR data and reports to support decision-making.
• Support organisational change and people-focused projects.
• Contribute to the development of HR policies, procedures and best practice.

Skills

HR advisory

Employment law

Relationship building

Organisational skills

Workload management

Customer-focused service

Problem solving

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification (desirable)

Job description

Human Resources Advisor

Location: Connect Multi-Academy Trust, North Durham

Salary: Grade 5/6 £34,811 to £43,149 (starting salary is dependent on qualifications and experience)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, full year but flexible working options may be available

Join Our Team

Are you passionate about delivering excellent HR support? We're looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Human Resources Advisor to join our friendly and supportive HR team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys building positive relationships, providing trusted advice, and helping create a workplace where colleagues can thrive. No two days are the same, and you'll play a key role in supporting managers and employees across the full employee lifecycle.

About the Role

As a Human Resources Advisor, you will provide practical, timely and professional HR advice and guidance on a wide range of people matters. Working closely with managers and colleagues, you'll help ensure our HR practices are fair, compliant and aligned with our values.

You will support recruitment and onboarding, employee relations casework, attendance management, policy implementation, performance management and wider people initiatives that contribute to a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide first-line HR advice and guidance to managers and employees.
• Support employee relations matters including absence management, disciplinary grievance and capability processes.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and retention activities.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are applied consistently and effectively.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems.
• Produce and analyse HR data and reports to support decision-making.
• Support organisational change and people-focused projects.
• Contribute to the development of HR policies, procedures and best practice.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience in an HR advisory or generalist HR role.
• Possesses a good understanding of employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Builds strong working relationships and communicates confidently with people at all levels.
• Demonstrates excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Can manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively.
• Takes a positive, solutions-focused approach to challenges.
• Is committed to providing an outstanding customer-focused HR service.
• Holds a CIPD Level 5 qualification or is working towards one (desirable).

What We Offer

• A welcoming and supportive team environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to wellbeing initiatives and employee support programmes.
• A rewarding role where you can make a real difference to colleagues and organisational success.

Please note that we operate a probationary period of 4 months across all jobs in the Trust. You will receive a comprehensive induction to support you to successfully pass your probation.