Senior HR Advisor

City West Country Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Benefit Scheme

Working from home opportunity

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye care vouchers

Long Service Awards

Job summary

City West Country Ltd is seeking an experienced Senior HR Advisor to manage a broad range of employee relations cases and coach junior staff across multiple sites. The role involves supporting managers with ER processes, employment law guidance, and helping develop HR practices within a dynamic business.

Based in Exeter with 4 days onsite and 1 day from home, the role offers salary up to £40,000 and a comprehensive benefits package. CIPD accreditation is preferred, along with a driving licence.

Qualifications

• Experience in employee relations case management within an HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor role.
• Ability to mentor junior HR colleagues; line management experience not required.
• Experience in a changing or evolving business environment and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise and coach managers on ER processes, employment law and HR best practice.
• Support junior HR Advisor with case management guidance and practical coaching.
• Support organisational change and restructuring initiatives.
• Deliver and continuously improve HR processes and procedures.
• Lead on key operational HR activities as required.
• Support HR systems, reporting and data insights.
• Assist in implementing HR policies aligned with best practice and legislation.
• Contribute to HR projects delivering the People Strategy.
• Provide support across HR and Payroll functions when needed.
• Ensure high levels of accuracy, quality and clear communication.

Skills

ER case management

Managing complex employee relations

Coaching junior staff

Communication and influencing

Education

CIPD Level 5

CIPD Level 7

Driving Licence

Job description

Location : Exeter Office 4 days per week, 1 day working from home

Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00 or 08:00-16:30

Salary : up to £40,000.00 per annum depending on experience

Contract: Fixed term or permanent

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys getting stuck into meaningful ER casework, building trusted relationships and helping others grow?

At City West Country Ltd, our HR team plays a key role in supporting our people and shaping a positive employee experience across the business. We are a friendly, collaborative team that works closely with managers, celebrates success and takes pride in making a genuine difference.

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to use their ER expertise in a varied, hands‑on role where no two days are the same.

You will be trusted to manage a broad range of cases, support confident decision‑making and help junior HR colleagues continue to develop their skills.

As Senior HR Advisor, you will provide practical, commercially focused HR guidance across the business, with a strong focus on managing complex and sensitive employee relations matters through to resolution. This is not a line management role, but you will be a valued point of support for a junior HR Advisor, offering guidance on casework, process and best practice.

• Managing employee relations cases from start to finish, including absence, disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance matters.
• Guiding junior HR Advisor on case handling, documentation and best practice.
• Visiting sites across the South West to assist with ER cases

• Coaching and supporting managers on employment law and HR best practice.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple sites.
• Supporting change initiatives, organisational development and HR projects.
• Assisting with policy development and continuous improvement of HR processes.
• Contributing to wellbeing initiatives and creating a positive employee experience.
• Using HR data and insights to support informed decision-making.

Who are City West Country?

CWC is a privately owned, award-winning automotive group with over 40 years of success. With an annual turnover exceeding £368 million, CWC is ranked as the 47th largest dealer group in the UK. Operating across twelve locations under brands including Mercedes-Benz (cars and vans), smart, BYD, Chery, Maxus and Tangelo, the business employs around 700 people across retail, fleet sales, vans, servicing, and repair.

As a family owned business, we're proud of our strong values and supportive culture. We have also been recognised as a Very Good Company to Work For by Best Companies.

What's in it for you?

• Car Benefit Scheme
• Working from home opportunities dependent on business needs
• 25 days' holiday (plus Bank Holidays)
• Scottish Widows salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Benefits Hub with 1,000s of amazing deals on all brands employees love
• Life assurance 1 x basic salary for free!
• Excellent training, support and opportunities to keep developing
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Long Service Awards to celebrate your milestones

What You'll Be Doing

• Advise and coach managers on ER processes, employment law and HR best practice
• Support junior HR Advisor with case management guidance and practical coaching
• Support organisational change and restructuring initiatives
• Deliver and continuously improve HR processes and procedures
• Lead on key operational HR activities as required
• Support and develop HR systems, reporting, and data insights
• Assist in implementing HR policies aligned with best practice and legislation
• Contribute to HR projects that deliver our People Strategy
• Provide support across HR and Payroll functions when needed
• Ensure high levels of accuracy, quality, and clear communication

What We're Looking For

Experience:

• Strong employee relations case management experience within an HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor role
• Confidence supporting or mentoring junior HR colleagues; line management experience is not required
• Experience working within a changing or evolving business environment
• Strong communication and influencing skills

Licence/Certification:

• CIPD Level 5 or 7 (preferred)
• Driving Licence

We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive place to work, with a commitment to equality and fairness at the heart of our values and everyday practices and policies. We aim to recruit, nurture and retain a diverse workforce that reflect the diversity of our customer base.