People Advisor

Trethowans; Southampton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Trethowans is seeking a proactive People Advisor to join our People Team in Southampton, with regular travel to Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth and Poole offices. This hands-on role blends generalist HR with early careers and professional qualification programmes support.

You will provide day-to-day HR advice, assist with absence management and staff development, coordinate trainee solicitors and apprenticeships, and maintain compliant employee records while fostering an engaging employee

Qualifications

• Experience in a generalist HR role.
• Exposure to apprenticeships, trainee programmes, graduate development or professional qualifications is preferred.
• Solid understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-line HR advice and guidance to managers and employees on a range of people-related matters.
• Support absence management, flexible working requests and family-friendly policies.
• Assist with employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary, grievance and performance processes.
• Prepare HR documentation, including contracts, letters and policy updates.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure compliance with employment legislation and firm procedures.
• Support projects to enhance employee engagement and experience.
• Contribute to delivering a high-quality, commercially focused HR service.

Skills

Generalist HR

Apprenticeships support

Graduate development

Professional qualifications support

UK employment law knowledge

Education

CIPD qualification (desirable)

Job description

Location: Southampton (with regular travel to our Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth and Poole offices)

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

About Trethowans

At Trethowans, people are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the leading law firms in the South, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive, supportive and high-performing culture where our people can thrive.

We are looking for a proactive and people-focused People Advisor to join our People Team. This varied role combines generalist HR responsibilities with responsibility for supporting the firm's early careers and professional qualification programmes, including trainee solicitors, solicitor apprentices, CILEX students and other colleagues progressing through recognised professional qualifications.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of People & Culture, you'll provide day-to-day HR advice and support to team leaders and individuals across the firm, whilst also coordinating and supporting our early careers and professional qualification programmes.

This is a hands-on role that combines operational HR support with responsibility for developing and supporting future talent across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing first-line HR advice and guidance to managers and employees on a range of people-related matters.
• Supporting absence management, flexible working requests and family-friendly policies.
• Assisting with employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary, grievance and performance processes.
• Preparing HR documentation, including contracts, letters and policy updates.
• Maintaining accurate employee records and ensuring compliance with employment legislation and firm procedures.
• Supporting projects and initiatives designed to enhance employee engagement and experience.
• Contributing to the delivery of a high-quality, pragmatic and commercially focused HR service.

Early Careers & Professional Development

• Supporting the firm's early careers and professional qualification programmes.
• Acting as a key point of contact for trainee solicitors, solicitor apprentices, CILEX students and other employees undertaking professional qualifications.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with training providers, universities, colleges and professional bodies.
• Supporting trainee solicitor recruitment activities, including attraction, assessment and onboarding processes.
• Assisting with the administration and coordination of qualification pathways, ensuring a positive and supportive experience throughout.
• Supporting the delivery of work experience placements, outreach initiatives and careers events.
• Promoting Trethowans as an employer of choice through engagement with educational institutions and professional networks.

This role is based in our Southampton office and requires regular travel between our Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth and Poole offices. Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to their own vehicle.

About You

You'll have previous experience working within a generalist HR role and be confident providing practical, employee-focused support across a range of HR activities. Alongside your HR experience, you will ideally have exposure to supporting apprenticeships, trainee programmes, graduate development or professional qualifications.

We're ideally looking for someone who:

• Has experience in a generalist HR position, ideally at Advisor or Senior Coordinator level.
• Has experience supporting apprenticeships, trainee programmes, graduate schemes, professional qualifications or talent development initiatives.
• Has a good understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Understands the importance of delivering an excellent employee experience and supporting individuals through key career milestones.
• Is organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Builds strong relationships and communicates confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
• Has excellent attention to detail and strong administrative skills.
• Is comfortable working independently whilst also contributing positively as part of a collaborative team.
• Holds, or is working towards, a CIPD qualification (desirable but not essential).

At Trethowans, we are committed to creating a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone can succeed. This is an excellent opportunity to gain broad HR exposure whilst playing a key role in supporting and developing future talent across the firm.

If you're passionate about people, enjoy building strong relationships and want to help shape the careers of the next generation of legal and business professionals, we'd love to hear from you.