People Support (HR) Advisor

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a People Support (HR) Advisor to join their dynamic team in Chelmsford. This role focuses on delivering high-quality HR support and guidance, managing queries effectively while promoting self-service options. Ideal candidates will possess a CIPD Level 5 qualification or be willing to achieve it and have strong communication and organisational skills. The position allows for hybrid working, blending office presence with remote work to fit individual and organisational needs.

Qualifications

• CIPD membership required or to be achieved within two years.
• Experience in a busy team handling HR queries.
• Strong IT skills with proficiency in HR systems.

Responsibilities

• First point of contact for HR queries, providing guidance online and in-person.
• Handle topics like flexible working, absence management, and onboarding.
• Promote self-service HR options and coach employees.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Organisation

Proactivity

Confidentiality

Education

CIPD Level 5 Qualification

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

People Support (HR) Advisor

Secondment, Full Time

£26,090 to £30,693 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 11th July 2025

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed-term contract opportunity for up to 12 months.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but requires the successful candidate to attend the office in Chelmsford 1-2 days per week, with the remaining time for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation's needs.

The Role

People Services is committed to providing high-quality customer service for employees and managers through various digital channels. The People Support Advisor will be the first point of contact for all HR-related queries, providing professional advice, support, and guidance to managers and employees across ECC. This role offers a great opportunity for someone looking to build experience within an HR setting in a large, complex organisation.

The Opportunity

People Services is part of the People & Organisation Development function at Essex County Council (ECC). We aim to deliver high standards of service to ECC employees and external customers, focusing on customer-centric approaches, innovation, and value for public spend. We are committed to continuous improvement, leveraging technology, and creating a culture of service excellence.

The People Support Adviser will be the primary contact for HR queries, managing stakeholder expectations and providing support across all channels: online, telephone, and face-to-face. You will aim to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.

Accountabilities

• Be the first point of contact for customer queries via phone, web chat, and email, providing high-quality HR advice and guidance, escalating requests as necessary.
• Offer pragmatic and professional advice on topics such as family-friendly policies, flexible working requests, managing absence, performance, onboarding, and Occupational Health referrals.
• Enhance manager and business confidence through coaching on workplace issues.
• Provide up-to-date advice on employment legislation and organisational developments.
• Promote self-service HR options by coaching employees and managers on online tools and identifying areas for improvement.
• Build effective working relationships across People and Organisation Development teams, including with People Business Partners and People Consultants.
• Support organisational change initiatives, including consultations leading to redundancy or TUPE processes.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
• CIPD membership and a minimum of Level 5 CIPD qualification or to be achieved within two years of employment.
• Experience working in a busy, fast-paced team supporting customers professionally.
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, and HR systems, with strong IT skills.
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, results-driven, and proactive in seeking improvements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of delivering exceptional customer service.
• Strong interpersonal skills to handle confidential issues with empathy and professionalism, and to influence stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to work independently, organise tasks efficiently, and meet tight deadlines.
• Basic knowledge of HR policies and employment legislation, with experience in coaching and confidence-building support.