At a Glance
- Tasks: Support managers with people challenges and guide them through tough conversations.
- Company: BrightLocal, a people-first business focused on supportive leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and personal learning budget.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping teams navigate challenges with care and fairness.
- Qualifications: Knowledge of UK employment law and experience in coaching managers.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
At BrightLocal, we're a people-first business. Our success comes from people having a clear purpose, supportive leadership, and the space to do great work together. This role plays a big part in that.
As our Senior People Advisor, you'll be the person managers trust with the situations that matter most and the person their teams are better off with. You'll pair employment law expertise with sound judgment, using both to help managers lead fairly and with care, especially when things get difficult.
This role is as much about people as it is about process. Behind every situation is a manager who wants to do right by their team and an individual who deserves care, and your job is to look after both. We're also a business that's changing quickly in how we work and how we use AI, and that change lands on our people. Part of your job is helping managers and their teams through it well, and every situation is a chance to build their confidence for next time and raise the standard of leadership across the business.
You'll report to the Head of People Experience on a small People team, so there's real ownership from the start and room to shape how we do this. You'll build close working relationships with managers right across BrightLocal, from first-time team leads to senior leaders.
What you'll be doing
- Be a trusted, approachable point of contact for leaders and managers, someone they can think out loud with.
- Support leaders with day-to-day people challenges, including performance and feedback, change, growth, and evolving roles.
- Provide clear, pragmatic guidance that balances compliance with doing the right thing for people.
- When something isn’t going quite right for a manager or an individual, you're the steady hand who sees it through, fairly and with care.
- Take each situation from the first conversation to resolution, so no one is left wondering what happens next.
- Support managers through performance and formal capability processes, keeping fairness at the centre.
- Handle formal matters through to their outcomes, carefully and fairly.
- Manage long-term and complex absence with genuine care, including occupational health referrals, phased returns and adjustments.
- Keep records clear and accurate enough to protect everyone if a case escalates.
- Coach managers through the hard conversations and prepare them for the conversations they're dreading.
- Help them spot issues early, so that informal resolution can work before things escalate.
- Make sure anyone in a formal process understands what's happening, what their rights are and what comes next.
- Hold the balance between what's right for the individual and what's right for the business.
- Signpost wellbeing and mental health support whenever it's relevant.
- Keep policies, letters, and process guidance current and genuinely usable.
- Flag legal risk early, and know which cases we can run ourselves and which need external advice.
- Track changes in employment law and turn them into practical changes to how we work.
What we're looking for
- Genuinely connects with BrightLocal’s beliefs and brings them to life in their work.
- Is practical, thoughtful, and confident enough to challenge when needed.
- Sound working knowledge of UK employment law, and the judgment to apply it to delicate real situations.
- A track record of coaching and influencing managers, including senior ones.
- Delivery focused: comfortable working with ambiguity and lean on creative problem-solving skills.
- Is comfortable working in change and helping others find clarity.
- Sound handling of confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience in fast-paced, dynamic environments and managing multiple priorities effectively.
Nice to have
- CIPD qualification at any level.
- Experience in a small or growing business, where you've built the process rather than inherited it.
The type of person who thrives here
- Genuinely people-first: you treat each situation as someone's working life.
- Balanced and fair: you see every angle and stay even-handed.
- Honest with care: you deliver hard messages thoughtfully.
- Trusted quickly: people at every level open up to you.
- Discreet by instinct: confidentiality is simply how you operate.
- Considered but action-led: you understand the grey areas and help people move forward with confidence.
The Perks (The important details)
- Salary: Competitive
- Hybrid working: 2 days a week in our Brighton office for full-time team members
- Holiday: 25 days + bank holidays + your birthday off
- Duvet days: 3 duvet days per year
- Healthcare: Vitality Healthcare
- Learning & Development: £1,000 per annum personal learning budget
Our commitment to inclusion
At BrightLocal, we believe the best ideas come from diverse perspectives. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcome, supported, and able to do their best work. We strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups in our industry. If this role excites you, but you do not meet every single requirement, we would still love to hear from you.
We are open to flexible working arrangements and are happy to make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. If you need anything to feel comfortable and confident applying, just let us know. We are here to help.
Senior People Advisor - 6 month FTC in Brighton employer: BrightLocal ??
BrightLocal is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a competitive salary and a generous benefits package including a personal learning budget and hybrid working options. With a strong focus on employee growth, the Digital Customer Success Lead role provides opportunities for mentorship and leadership within a collaborative environment, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in customer success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Advisor - 6 month FTC in Brighton
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at BrightLocal ??!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at BrightLocal ??.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Advisor - 6 month FTC in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at BrightLocal ??. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to BrightLocal ?? and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at BrightLocal ??. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to BrightLocal ??'s values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at BrightLocal ??
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with BrightLocal ??.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at BrightLocal ?? will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact BrightLocal ?? and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
