HR Advisor (People and Culture)

HR Advisor (People and Culture)

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Devon County Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide HR advice, lead recruitment strategies, and support workforce planning.
  • Company: Join a values-driven charity supporting deaf young people to thrive.
  • Benefits: 30 days annual leave, generous pension, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Learn British Sign Language and enjoy a supportive team culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while shaping people management practices.
  • Qualifications: Experience in HR advisory roles and strong knowledge of employment law required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Our people create a genuinely inclusive, values‑driven culture, supporting deaf young people to thrive and achieve independence. As we continue to strengthen our People function and support organisational growth, we are recruiting two Senior HR Advisors to join our team and play a key role in supporting managers to deliver effective people management, building line manager capability, and ensuring we have the workforce capacity and skills to meet both current and future needs. We're seeking experienced and proactive HR professionals who combine strong operational HR delivery with a solutions‑focused mindset. You will partner closely with managers across the organisation to drive performance, engagement and organisational effectiveness.

In this role, you'll range from planning and delivering recruitment campaigns, to meeting regularly with your group of leaders to review people issues, data, workforce planning and case management.

About the Deaf Academy

The Deaf Academy is a Charity providing specialist education and care for deaf children and young adults aged 9-25 from across the UK. Many of our students have additional needs, and we are committed to providing an inclusive, bilingual environment using British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken/written English. Our staff work collaboratively across education, care and support services to help every student thrive and prepare for a confident, independent future.

About the role

  • Provide clear, practical HR advice across a broad range of employee relations matters.
  • Lead and develop recruitment and resourcing strategies.
  • Support workforce planning and organisational development initiatives.
  • Build the confidence and capability of line managers to lead their teams effectively.
  • Use data and insight to inform people decisions and future planning.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to managers, providing clear and pragmatic HR guidance.
  • Coach and support line managers to proactively manage people issues, performance and attendance.
  • Champion inclusion, wellbeing and a positive employee experience.
  • Embed effective HR policies and processes, supporting managers to apply these consistently.

Qualifications

  • Significant experience in a generalist HR advisory role.
  • Strong knowledge of employment law and experience managing employee relations cases independently.
  • Experience supporting or leading recruitment and workforce planning activities.
  • Proven ability to coach and influence managers effectively.
  • Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions.
  • CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience).
  • Experience working within a values‑driven Deaf education and care charity.

A varied and impactful HR role with strategic and operational exposure. The opportunity to work closely with leaders and shape people management practices. A collaborative and supportive HR team environment. Ongoing professional development opportunities, learning British Sign Language and growing your HR career. A generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus bank holidays, to be taken mainly outside of term time. A pension scheme with 8% employer contribution, and a life assurance scheme. Opportunity for cycle to work scheme, travel ticket loans, retail discounts and other benefits. Supportive employee assistance scheme, and regular health and wellbeing initiatives. Enhanced maternity and paternity pay. Free onsite parking. Subsidised on‑site lunches.

HR Advisor (People and Culture) employer: Devon County Council

The Deaf Academy is an exceptional employer, fostering a genuinely inclusive and values-driven culture that empowers deaf young people to thrive. As an HR Advisor, you will be part of a collaborative team dedicated to professional growth, with opportunities for ongoing development, including learning British Sign Language. Enjoy generous benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, a supportive work environment, and initiatives focused on employee wellbeing, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your HR career.

Devon County Council

Contact Details:

Devon County Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land HR Advisor (People and Culture)

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the Deaf Academy or similar organisations on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research common HR scenarios and think about how you'd handle them. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress.

Tip Number 3

Show off your passion for inclusion and wellbeing! Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the Deaf Academy's values-driven culture during your conversations with hiring managers.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor (People and Culture)

HR Advisory
Employee Relations
Recruitment Strategies
Workforce Planning
Organisational Development
Coaching and Influencing
Data Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your experience in employee relations and recruitment strategies, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills and how they align with our values-driven culture.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for supporting deaf young people and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Be sure to mention your proactive approach and solutions-focused mindset.

Showcase Your Data Skills:We love data-driven decisions! In your application, highlight any experience you have using data to inform HR practices or workforce planning. This will show us that you can contribute to our organisational effectiveness.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our mission and values.

How to prepare for a job interview at Devon County Council

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by organisations like the Deaf Academy, especially in relation to inclusion and support for deaf young people.

Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to discuss your previous HR advisory roles in detail. Highlight your experience in managing employee relations cases and how you've successfully supported recruitment and workforce planning initiatives. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact.

Be Solutions-Focused

Since the role requires a solutions-focused mindset, think about potential challenges the organisation might face and come prepared with ideas on how to address them. This shows that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.

Engage with the Culture

Understand the values-driven culture of the Deaf Academy. Be ready to discuss how you can champion inclusion and wellbeing within the team. Showing that you align with their mission will set you apart as a candidate who truly cares about their work.