HR Advisor | Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust in Wickford

Join EPUT as an HR Advisor and make a real difference to the people who deliver patient care every day. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Employee Relations Team, providing expert advice and support to managers and staff across a range of services. You'll support managers with disciplinary, grievance, attendance management, performance and organisational change matters.

We're looking for a proactive and customer-focused individual with HR advisory experience, strong communication skills and a sound understanding of employment law. You will be confident managing a varied workload, building effective relationships and providing practical solutions to people-related issues. CIPD qualification, or progress towards a recognised HR qualification, is essential. We welcome applications from candidates who may not yet meet all Band 6 criteria but can demonstrate the potential to develop into the role. For the right candidate, consideration may be given to appointment at Band 5, with a structured development programme and progression to Band 6 upon successful achievement of agreed competencies.

At EPUT, you'll join a supportive team committed to our values of We Care, We Learn and We Empower. You'll benefit from development opportunities, varied HR experience and the chance to contribute to workforce initiatives that support staff wellbeing and patient care. If you're passionate about people and developing your HR career within the NHS, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Provide professional HR advice and support across a range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance management and organisational change.
• Work with managers to resolve people issues, promote best practice and ensure compliance with employment legislation and Trust policies.
• Support workforce initiatives, contribute to HR projects and assist with policy development.

What We’re Looking For

• A proactive and solutions-focused HR professional with experience of providing HR advice in a busy environment.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, a sound understanding of employment law and the ability to build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities while delivering a high-quality service.
• CIPD qualification, or active study towards a recognised HR qualification, is essential.
• Demonstrates our values of We Care, We Learn and We Empower.

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you. Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential. Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks. If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service. Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay. Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits. £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us. Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

About the Team

Our Employee Relations Team plays a key role in supporting managers and staff across Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT). We are a collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking team that is passionate about delivering high-quality HR services and helping create positive workplace cultures. Guided by our values of We Care, We Learn and We Empower, we work in partnership with operational leaders to provide pragmatic, solutions-focused advice that supports our people and ultimately contributes to excellent patient care. We foster a culture of learning, continuous improvement and professional development, encouraging colleagues to share ideas, develop specialist expertise and build rewarding careers within HR.

About the Role

As an HR Advisor, you will provide professional HR advice and guidance to managers and staff across a wide range of employee relations matters. You will support managers with disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance management and organisational change processes, helping to ensure fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes. You'll work closely with operational teams to resolve complex people issues, interpret policies, support workforce planning activity and contribute to the delivery of strategic HR objectives. The role offers the opportunity to develop expertise across a broad range of HR disciplines, including organisational change, TUPE, sickness absence management, policy development and specialist HR projects. You will attend formal hearings, provide professional advice during employee relations processes and work collaboratively with HR colleagues to continuously improve the service we provide. There will also be opportunities to deputise for senior colleagues and take a lead role in designated specialist areas of HR practice.

Who We're Looking For

• A proactive, organised and customer-focused HR professional who can build positive working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Confident providing advice on complex employment matters, able to analyse information objectively and skilled at balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication, influencing and problem-solving skills are essential, together with a sound understanding of employment law and HR best practice.
• CIPD qualified, working towards a recognised HR qualification, or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Previous experience supporting employee relations casework, managing sensitive situations and working collaboratively with managers, staff representatives and HR colleagues will be highly beneficial.

We are committed to developing future HR talent and welcome applications from candidates who may not yet meet all of the Band 6 criteria. For the right individual, consideration may be given to appointment at Band 5 on a developmental pathway, with structured support, development opportunities and progression to Band 6 upon successful achievement of agreed competencies and objectives.

Why Join EPUT?

In addition to a rewarding role and the opportunity to make a real difference, you'll benefit from:

• A supportive and experienced HR team.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Exposure to a wide variety of employee relations and organisational change work.
• Flexible and agile working opportunities where service needs allow.
• Access to NHS pension and employee benefits schemes.
• The opportunity to contribute to services that support the health and wellbeing of communities across Essex.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the duties, responsibilities and essential criteria for this role.