Senior HR Advisor

hireful; Much Hadham; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension with up to 6% employer contrib

Life Assurance

Blue Light Card eligibility

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym membership

Free on-site parking

Enhanced DBS funded

Recommend a Friend scheme

Ongoing learning and development

Job summary

hireful is seeking a Senior HR Advisor to be based on-site in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire. You will provide trusted advice to managers, lead on complex employee relations issues, and support investigations and formal processes while coaching managers to improve people management across the organisation.

The role focuses on balancing legislation with judgement, shaping policy, and driving People initiatives in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or above or equivalent experience.
• Significant employee relations and complex case management experience.
• Up-to-date employment law knowledge and HR best-practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted, professional advice to managers and senior leaders.
• Lead on complex ER matters including disciplinary, grievance and absence.
• Support investigations, hearings and formal processes.
• Coach managers to develop effective people management.
• Support organisational change and restructures.
• Manage employment-related legal matters including ACAS and tribunal cases.
• Use data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to People policies, processes and projects.
• Design and deliver practical manager training.

Skills

CIPD Level 5+

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Employment law

Coaching managers

Education/regulatory environment

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Tools

iTrent

Job description

Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Salary: £47,985 – £49,001 per annum
Contract: Full-time | Permanent
Working arrangements: On-site, Monday–Friday

Maybe you're an experienced HR Advisor ready for your next step. Or perhaps you're already working at Senior HR Advisor level and want more variety, greater influence and the opportunity to genuinely shape how managers lead their people. You know your way around a difficult ER case. You're comfortable having challenging conversations. And you understand that great HR is about balancing legislation and process with judgement, relationships and the people involved.

If you're looking for more ownership, more variety and the opportunity to make a visible impact, our client would love to talk…

This isn't a hybrid role – and here's why: You'll be based with our client on-site in Much Hadham, Monday to Friday. Our client knows hybrid working has become the norm across HR, but this role offers something different.

You’ll work alongside the managers you support. You’ll understand their services and teams because you’ll see them first‑hand. You’ll have the quick conversation that prevents something becoming a formal case and build relationships that go beyond a scheduled Teams call.

Why this role is different

There is plenty here to get your teeth into.

You’ll manage complex employee relations matters, but our client doesn't just want you to manage cases – they want you to help managers become better managers.

That means coaching rather than simply telling. Challenging when necessary. Helping managers understand the why, not just the process.

You’ll also work beyond day-to-day ER, contributing to organisational change, workforce insights, policy development, manager training and wider People initiatives.

About the Organisation

Set within extensive grounds in the Hertfordshire countryside, our client is a specialist charity supporting children, young people and adults with epilepsy and other complex needs. Their services span education, children's residential care, adult residential care, supported living and day opportunities – creating a genuinely varied environment for an HR professional.

Everything they do is underpinned by their core values, built around ambition, collaboration, positivity and compassion.

What You’ll Be Doing

• As their Senior HR Advisor, you'll provide trusted, professional advice to managers and senior leaders across the organisation.
• Lead on complex ER matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence.
• Support investigations, hearings and formal processes.
• Coach managers to confidently and effectively manage their people.
• Support organisational change and restructures.
• Support employment-related legal matters including ACAS, Employment Tribunal cases and Subject Access Requests.
• Use workforce and ER data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to People policies, processes and wider projects.
• Design and deliver practical manager training.
• Coach and mentor the HR Advisor.
• Deputise for the Head of People Relations and Policy when required.

About You

• We're looking for someone who enjoys the judgement and human side of HR – not simply following a process.
• CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent experience.
• Strong HR Advisor/Senior HR Advisor experience, with the confidence to operate at senior advisory level.
• Significant employee relations and complex case management experience.
• Up-to-date employment law and HR best-practice knowledge.
• Experience coaching and influencing managers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to manage a busy and varied workload.
• Experience of organisational change, mentoring HR colleagues, iTrent or working within education, health, social care or another regulated environment would be advantageous.

Why Join Our Client?

Our client isn't going to pretend HR here will always be easy.

They're a large and diverse organisation supporting people with complex needs, so you'll encounter interesting, challenging and sometimes sensitive people matters. But you'll also have the opportunity to influence managers, improve how they work and see the impact of what you do.

You’ll also enjoy:

• From 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service
• Contributory pension with up to 6% employer contribution
• Life Assurance
• Blue Light Card eligibility
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Free on-site parking
• Fully funded Enhanced DBS
• £1,000 Recommend a Friend Scheme for eligible roles
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Getting There

Our client's site is located in a rural setting in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, so access to reliable transport is important. To help make commuting easier, they offer subsidised staff transport routes and affordable on-site accommodation options.

Ready for Something Different?

If you're looking for a Senior HR Advisor role where you can use your experience, exercise professional judgement, develop managers and have a genuine voice within the organisation, our client would love to hear from us.

Safeguarding & Inclusion

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Our client is proud to be an accredited, people-focused and disability-inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let them know.

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