At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage employee relations casework and provide clear HR advice to managers.
- Company: Join a supportive HR team within a dynamic council environment.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, flexible work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth while supporting local government changes.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values your judgement and expertise in HR.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR and confidence in handling complex employment issues.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re Hiring: HR Advisor (Maternity Cover) Part time – up to 30 hours per week. Are you an experienced HR professional who can pick up a caseload, make sense of tricky employment issues, and give clear, pragmatic advice without needing a script? Do managers come to you with “We’ve got a situation…” and trust you to help them handle it properly? If you’re comfortable working independently on employee relations casework, but still value having experienced colleagues to sense‑check with, this could be a great fit.
About the Role: We’re looking for an HR Advisor to join our team on a maternity cover basis, working up to 30 hours per week. This role is very much about hitting the ground running. You’ll be supporting managers with a varied employee relations caseload, providing practical, risk‑aware advice and helping the Council prepare for the changes ahead as we move towards Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). You won’t be working in isolation – you’ll be part of a supportive HR team with senior professionals around you – but it’s essential that you’re confident working independently, applying employment law where appropriate, and managing casework day to day.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Managing a range of employee relations casework, including discipline, grievance, absence, wellbeing and performance.
- Providing clear, pragmatic HR advice that balances policy, best practice and employment law.
- Coaching and supporting managers to handle people issues fairly and confidently.
- Using HR systems to obtain data driven insights, record, track and progress work.
- Supporting the wider team as we plan for and respond to the demands of LGR.
HR Advisor - Maternity Court employer: Dover District Council
Contact Detail:
Dover District Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor - Maternity Court
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common HR scenarios. Think about how you'd handle tricky employee relations cases and be ready to share your thought process. We want to see your judgement and real-life experience shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your personality! When you’re in interviews or networking events, let your authentic self come through. Employers love candidates who can connect on a personal level while still being professional.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly 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 and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor - Maternity Court
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your HR Expertise: Make sure to highlight your experience in handling employee relations casework. We want to see how you've tackled tricky situations and provided clear, pragmatic advice in the past.
Be Personable: Since this role involves real conversations, let your personality shine through! Use a friendly tone in your application to show that you’re approachable and ready to support managers with their people issues.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. We love it when applicants tailor their documents to our job description. Mention specific skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for in an HR Advisor.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dover District Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on employment law and HR policies relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with common employee relations issues like discipline and grievance procedures, as well as how to provide clear, pragmatic advice. This will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed tricky situations or provided valuable support to managers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewers to see your impact.
✨Be Ready for Real Conversations
Since this role involves real conversations, be prepared to discuss how you would handle various scenarios. Think about how you would approach a difficult employee relations case and be ready to share your thought process. This shows that you can think on your feet and apply your knowledge practically.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face with LGR, or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.