Senior HR Adviser

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Hampshire County Council invites applications for a Senior HR Adviser based in Winchester within the Policy and Reward team. The role focuses on developing HR policies, guiding pay processes and ensuring legally compliant decisions across the organisation.

You will work with HR Partners and Employment Law colleagues to deliver clear guidance, manage a varied workload, and support managers. Interviews are in-person in Winchester.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR and policy/guidance development.
• Strong understanding of employment law and its application.
• Ability to write clear, user-friendly HR policies and guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple HR projects across schools and directorates with timely delivery.
• Develop and maintain policies and guidance to support managers and staff.
• Demonstrate strong organisation, time management and self‑driven project management.

Skills

Project management

Time management

Policy writing

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

IT skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

HR systems

Job description

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Job Reference:HCC625106

Salary Range: £41,985 - £46,565 per annum

Hours per week: 37 (part-time hours will be considered)

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 2 October 2026

Interview Date:14 October 2026

An exciting vacancy has arisen for a Senior HR Adviser to join our Policy and Reward team at Hampshire County Council.

Are you looking for a challenging and varied role within a friendly, supportive People Services team - where you can make a real difference?

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a collaborative, environment where your expertise will influence how we support our managers and people across the organisation.

Based in Winchester, you will join our Policy and Reward Team, at the heart of developing the frameworks that empower our managers and headteachers to lead effectively. From updating HR policies and guidance to supporting key pay processes, such as pay awards, role evaluations, payments and market supplements, your work will directly influence how we attract, retain, reward and support our people.

Please note, interviews will take place in person in Winchester.

The Role:

As a Senior HR Adviser, you will work with key stakeholders such as HR Business Partners, the Employment Law team, and colleagues across People Services to ensure legally compliant decisions and develop clear policies and guidance that support fair, consistent, and effective outcomes for employees and managers. Strong project management skills will be critical to you managing a varied work programme. Underpinning all your work will be a good understanding of employment law and an ability to interpret legislation into guidance for managers.

Applications for part-time hours may be considered, however a minimum of four days per week (29 hours) is required. The team all attend the office in Winchester on a weekly basis. This is currently a Wednesday; however, this may change in future. You will need to attend the office on the same day as the rest of the team.

What you'll do:

You will be managing multiple projects at the same time across schools and directorates. You will have the support of a Strategic HR Adviser for each project; however, you will be independently managing your own workload against project deliverables and timescales. You will therefore need self-organisation, time management and project management skills to deliver a quality product on time.

What we're looking for:

Your ability to critically analyse complex issues that arise, identify options and then deliver a solution will be essential. You will use your communication skills to test your understanding, play back issues and then propose solutions. You will require strong IT skills and apply a high level of accuracy to produce clear, well-structured and accessible policies and guidance. Your final products will be written and therefore you need to have strong written communication skills.

Our benefits package includes details of the holiday ent`itlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts.

We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassign`ment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.