People Adviser (HR)

Location: Cross College (Primary base: Poole Campus)

Shape the future of our people and your career. At Bournemouth & Poole College, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to grow and strengthen the College, we are investing in our most important asset, our staff. Whether supporting students directly or enabling learning through professional services, we foster a culture that develops, supports and empowers colleagues to make an exceptional impact. Through strong leadership and a commitment to excellence, we are building a future-ready workforce that thrives in a supportive and ambitious environment.

This newly created People Adviser (HR) role is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking People Services team and play a key role in shaping a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace.

About the role: As a trusted People Adviser, you will deliver high-quality, generalist HR support, partnering with managers to provide practical, fair and legally compliant advice. You will work across the full employee lifecycle, including employee relations, performance management, organisational change and wellbeing—helping to create a consistently positive colleague experience.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted partner to managers, providing expert advice on employee relations matters including absence, performance, conduct and grievances.
• Support leaders through informal and formal processes with confidence and professionalism.
• Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and organisational change activity.
• Analyse workforce data to identify trends and inform proactive interventions.
• Promote wellbeing and inclusive people practices.
• Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures and safeguarding requirements.
• Maintain accurate HR records and contribute to continuous improvement of systems and processes.

What we're looking for: You'll be a confident and approachable HR professional, able to build strong relationships while delivering balanced, pragmatic advice. You will bring:

• Experience in a generalist HR or People Adviser role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience supporting managers on employee relations matters.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive issues.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience) is essential.

Why join us?

• Join a growing, people-focused organisation.
• Be part of a supportive and collaborative People Services team.
• Make a real impact on colleague experience and organisational success.
• Access ongoing professional development and career progression.
• Benefit from a competitive package, including generous leave and pension.

Ready to apply? If you are a motivated HR professional with a passion for supporting people and delivering excellence, we would love to hear from you. We encourage early applications, as we may close the vacancy once we receive a sufficient number of strong applications.

Working at Bournemouth and Poole College: More than just a job. At Bournemouth & Poole College, we are passionate about turning potential into professionals. We are the largest college in the area and a vital engine for the local economy, educating over 9,000 learners and partnering with over 1,000 employers to bridge the gap between local talent and real futures.

A proud culture. We know that if we want our students to succeed, we have to start by looking after our people. We work hard to create an environment where you feel trusted and valued rather than just employed. In our 2025 inspection, Ofsted observed: "They have developed an inclusive culture where staff feel empowered to make a positive difference to students and apprentices. Leaders and managers have improved staff morale; staff are proud to work at the college."

A place to grow and belong. We are committed to a workplace that is genuinely inclusive, where everyone is inspired to contribute and succeed. You will find a vibrant, rewarding environment that celebrates ambition and success in equal measures.

To get a better feel for life at the College and explore our full range of benefits, visit our Work With Us page.

Armed Forces Covenant: As proud Armed Forces Covenant signatories, we value the skills and experience veterans, reservists and military families, and encourage them to consider a career with us.

Safeguarding Commitment: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share in this commitment. The successful will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks which includes an enhanced DBS check as well as providing proof of the right to work in the UK.