Senior HR Advisor

Sumer; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sumer is seeking a people-focused HR Advisor for a 12-month contract in Ipswich. The ideal candidate will support local operations, assist in learning and development, and guide managers through key processes such as TUPE and performance management. This role offers a salary of £38,000 - £45,000 with hybrid work arrangements and a focus on creating a positive employee experience.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Health Cash Back Plan

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working

Generous Holiday Allowance

Work from Anywhere

Qualifications

• Experience guiding managers through employee relations and performance.
• Good practical knowledge of UK employment law.
• Ability to work flexibly across local teams.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted HR advisor for designated hubs.
• Guide managers through disciplinary actions and grievances.
• Analyze key people metrics to improve workplace culture.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Knowledge of UK employment law

Experience in employee relations

Job description

At Sumer, we’re building something special - uniting ambitious regional firms and creating a high performing, people first culture across the group. To power this, we’ve launched our new HR Shared Services Centre (SSC) - the heartbeat of our People & Culture team - here to elevate the employee experience at every step of the journey.

We’re on the lookout for a forward thinking, people focused HR Advisor to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You’ll balance local impact with big picture thinking -supporting your hub day to day while diving into group wide projects that shape our culture and employee lifecycle across the group.

Within the role you will work closely in supporting your local hub, Scrutton Bland, with responsibilities including supporting line managers in the learning and development agenda and assisting in the TUPE process, therefore experience within these areas is preferred.

If you love variety, have a focus on continuous improvement, and care about creating a brilliant employee experience, this is your chance to be part of something exciting as we grow and evolve.

Department People & Culture Employment Type Fixed Term Contract Location Ipswich Workplace type Hybrid Compensation £38,000 - £45,000 / year

The Role

As an HR Advisor, you will be a trusted point of contact for your designated hub(s), while also supporting central People & Culture team initiatives across the Sumer Group. Working in a matrix structure, you will support local operations and contribute to the design and delivery of group wide HR practices.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Can

• Act as a trusted HR advisor, empowering employees, managers, and directors with clear, practical advice throughout the entire employee journey - from welcoming new team members and supporting performance growth to fostering positive employee relations and smooth transitions.
• Work in collaboration with other hubs across the HR SSC, supporting where needed
• Guide and support managers confidently through important processes such as disciplinary actions, grievances, absence management, and probation reviews, ensuring fair, respectful, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Analyse key people metrics like turnover, absence, and engagement insights to help drive continuous improvement and strengthen our workplace culture.
• Play an active role in exciting HR projects, including mergers and acquisitions, policy enhancements, DE&I initiatives, and designing efficient, user-friendly HR processes.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date HR data management, championing best-practice administration that keeps our people systems running effortlessly.
• Support and inspire the development of HR trainees and junior team members, helping to build a collaborative, high-performing HR community.
• Support the HR Business Partner within Scrutton Bland to ensure a seamless TUPE process
• Deliver existing learning and development workshops within Scrutton Bland
• Efficiently collate payroll data for processing on a monthly basis, whilst also ensuring the benefits platform is maintained to a high standard
  
  

The Person

You will bring…

• A wealth of varied HR experience, and will be comfortable navigating every stage of the employee journey
• Good practical knowledge of UK employment law, applying it confidently and fairly.
• Experience in guiding managers through employee relations, performance, absence, and probation issues with empathy and professionalism.
• The ability to work flexibly across local teams and wider group needs, adapting to changing priorities.
• Strong organisational skills with a focus on accurate HR administration and using data to support decision-making.
• Prior experience of the TUPE process and exposure to learning and development initiatives
  
  

Our Benefits

• Salary of £38,000 to £45,000 dependant on experience
• Hybrid working of 3 days working within Scrutton Bland offices, and 2 days working from home
• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive private health care to support your wellbeing when you need it most
• Health Cash Back Plan: claim back costs on essential medical care through our Health Cash Back Plan
• Pension Scheme: Competitive pension plan to help you secure a comfortable future.
• Life Insurance: Financial protection for your loved ones
• Flexible Working: We value flexibility, empowering you to work in ways that boost your productivity and balance
• Holiday Allowance + Floating Bank Holidays: Generous holiday entitlement plus floating bank holidays (2 fixed)
• Work from Anywhere: Enjoy the chance to work abroad for up to 10 days per year.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: Designed to support work-life balance and wellbeing for you and your family.
  
  

About Scrutton Bland

Scrutton Bland is one of the UK’s top 15 accounting firms, focused on serving the SME market. In 2024, we became part of Sumer, a collaboration of leading regional accountancy practices with a shared vision to champion local small to medium-sized enterprises. We are a forward-thinking accountancy practice that values creativity, collaboration, and innovation. With our team-focused culture and commitment to delivering excellence, this is an exciting opportunity for someone ready to make a real impact.

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