At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide HR advice, manage employee relations, and support managers in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a supportive HR team in a fast-paced organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Work independently while building relationships with managers at all levels.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace culture and people initiatives.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or equivalent HR experience, strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 33000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced HR professional looking for your next challenge in a fast-paced and people-focused environment? We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded HR Advisor to join our HR team. Reporting to the HR Business Partner, you will act as the first point of contact for managers, providing balanced, pragmatic, and legally compliant HR advice across a wide range of employee relations matters. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on building strong relationships, coaching managers, and delivering practical HR solutions that support both people and business performance.
The Role
As HR Advisor, you will support managers across a broad range of HR and employee relations activities, ensuring consistent and fair application of policies and procedures while promoting best practice people management. You will play a key role in supporting managers with complex ER cases, absence management, performance issues, investigations, and formal processes, while helping to create a positive and compliant workplace culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide first-line HR advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters.
- Sickness absence management.
- Investigations, disciplinaries, and grievances.
- Capability and performance management.
- Flexible working requests.
- Whistleblowing concerns.
- Advise and support managers on suspension processes.
- Attend formal meetings and hearings, taking accurate and confidential notes.
- Draft professional correspondence including outcome letters and case documentation.
- Monitor sickness absence triggers and support occupational health referrals.
- Liaise effectively with trade union representatives and employee representatives.
- Deliver coaching and training to managers on HR policies and processes.
- Support continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures, and best practice.
- Assist with HR projects and initiatives as required.
About You
We are looking for someone who is confident, organised, and solutions-focused, with strong employment law knowledge and excellent communication skills.
Essential Skills & Experience
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards) OR equivalent HR Advisory experience.
- Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to build credible relationships with managers at all levels.
- Confident delivering training and coaching sessions.
- IT proficient including Microsoft Office and HR systems.
Desirable
- Experience working with trade unions or employee representatives.
- Experience using iTrent HR system.
Personal Attributes
- Professional, approachable, and resilient.
- Commercially minded with a pragmatic approach.
- High levels of integrity and confidentiality.
- Able to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Calm under pressure and solution focused.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative HR team.
- Varied and rewarding role with real impact across the organisation.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- Chance to contribute to meaningful people initiatives and culture improvement.
HR Advisor employer: Cambian Group Plc
Join our dynamic HR team in Ashford, Kent, where we prioritise a supportive and collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and development. As an HR Advisor, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact on employee relations and contribute to meaningful initiatives that enhance workplace culture. With competitive salary packages and a commitment to continuous improvement, we are dedicated to creating a rewarding environment for our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the HR field! Attend industry events, join online forums, or even reach out to former colleagues. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and practising common HR scenarios. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers, showcasing your experience in handling complex employee relations cases.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance, highlight your CIPD qualifications and any relevant experience you have. Make sure to demonstrate your strong knowledge of UK employment law and how it applies to real-world situations.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your experience with employee relations, performance management, and any relevant qualifications like your CIPD Level 5. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've successfully handled complex HR cases or coached managers in the past. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:As an HR Advisor, communication is key. Make sure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. We appreciate well-structured writing that reflects your ability to convey important information effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambian Group Plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with common employee relations issues, as you'll need to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview. Being able to discuss real-life scenarios will show that you're not just book-smart but also practical.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an HR Advisor, communication is key. Prepare to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently. Practise answering questions about how you've handled complex ER cases in the past, focusing on your approach and the outcomes. This will highlight your ability to build relationships and coach managers effectively.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play
Expect some role-play scenarios where you might have to advise a manager on a tricky employee relations issue. Think about how you would handle situations like sickness absence management or performance issues. This will give you a chance to showcase your problem-solving skills and your pragmatic approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the HR team's current challenges or how they measure success in their HR initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your values.
