Senior People Advisor

National Learning Group; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days Annual Leave

Health Cash Back Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension Scheme

Cost Price Tutoring for yourself or my

Casual Dress Code

Fun and Friendly Atmosphere

Job summary

National Learning Group is seeking an experienced Senior People Advisor to join the growing People function. You will work alongside the Head of People and two Coordinators, advising managers and handling a varied HR workload from issue through to resolution.

You’ll lead employee relations cases, provide practical advice, and own key HR processes across the lifecycle while supporting recruitment and wellbeing initiatives. CIPD Level 5 is desirable but practical experience matters most.

Qualifications

• Solid generalist HR experience.
• Experience managing employee relations cases (absence, performance, capability, conduct, grievances).
• Knowledge of UK employment law and ability to advise managers confidently.
• Proactive, self-starting and able to operate in ambiguity.
• CIPD Level 5 is desirable but practical experience is valued.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead on employee relations cases across the business.
• Provide confident, practical advice to managers.
• Own key HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
• Support recruitment and oversee safer recruitment and compliance.
• Improve HR processes beyond routine administration.
• Support delivery of HR projects and engagement initiatives.
• Spot issues early and propose solutions.
• Maintain employee data and reporting of key metrics.

Skills

ER cases

HR generalist

Employee relations

Advising managers

Data reporting

Education

CIPD Level 5 (desirable)

Job description

• 31 days Annual Leave (incl public holidays) with opportunity to buy more
• Health Cash Back Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Cost Price Tutoring for yourself or your friends and family
• Casual Dress Code
• Fun and Friendly Atmosphere

We’re looking for an experienced Senior People Advisor to join National Learning Group and play a key role in our growing People function.

This isn’t a role where you’ll spend your day passing queries upwards or waiting to be given a task list. We’re looking for a proactive HR professional who can take ownership, use their judgement and get things done, while recognising when it's appropriate to elevate.

Working alongside our Head of People, and supported by two Coordinators, you’ll be the go-to person for day-to-day People matters across the business, independently advising managers and handling a varied HR workload from issue through to resolution.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking the lead on employee relations cases including absence, performance, capability, conduct and grievances
• Providing confident, practical advice to managers
• Owning key People processes across the employee lifecycle
• Supporting recruitment and overseeing safer recruitment and compliance
• Improving People processes rather than simply administering them
• Supporting delivery of People projects and contributing to wider engagement, wellbeing and performance initiatives
• Spotting issues early and bringing solutions without waiting to be asked
• Maintaining employee data and reporting key metrics

What we’re looking for

You’ll already have solid generalist HR experience and be comfortable managing your own ER cases and advising managers independently.

You’ll have good UK employment law knowledge, strong judgement and the confidence to challenge when needed.

Most importantly, you’ll be proactive and self-starting. We’re a growing SME, so we need someone who is comfortable operating in ambiguity and finding solutions when there isn’t already a process telling them exactly what to do.

CIPD Level 5 is desirable, but we’re equally interested in strong practical experience and what you can actually bring to the team.

If you’re an experienced HR/People Advisor looking for more ownership, variety and the opportunity to make a visible impact, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment. As such, we follow safer recruitment practices including appropriate pre-engagement checks. These include assessing candidates' suitability to work with vulnerable groups, verifying right to work, identity and qualifications, conducting online checks and thorough employment history vetting, obtaining references from any previous employers as deemed appropriate, and conducting checks with Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA). Please only proceed with your application if you agree to us performing these checks.