Senior HR Advisor (Policy, Projects, Policy) in London

Guildhall School of Music & Drama is a vibrant, international community of musicians, actors, and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked as the top conservatoire in the Guardian University Guide music league table, we deliver world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies, and ensembles. A global leader in creative and professional practice, we promote innovation, experiment, and research, and are also one of the UK’s leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, offering inspiring training for children, young people, adult learners, and creative and business professionals.

We are looking for an experienced and confident HR Advisor to join our team. Reporting to the HR Business Partner, this role provides professional advice and support to managers and employees across designated departments, including both academic staff and professional services. Working collaboratively with HR colleagues, you will play a key role in delivering a comprehensive and effective HR service.

As a generalist HR Advisor, you will offer accurate guidance on HR policies, procedures, and best practice, covering areas such as recruitment, contract changes, sickness absence management, employee relations, performance management, and HR administration.

The successful candidate will be an experienced HR professional with proven advisory-level expertise, capable of delivering pragmatic advice on HR policies, employee relations, sickness management, and contract variations. You will have a strong track record in managing recruitment campaigns, including senior-level appointments, and in guiding managers through interviews and selection processes. Highly organised and solution-focused, you will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, with in-depth knowledge of employment legislation and best practice, ideally supported by a CIPD qualification. Experience within Higher Education or the Arts sector, with a clear understanding of the HR issues specific to these environments, is essential.

This role is eligible for hybrid working.

We offer a great benefits package including a generous pension scheme (Local Government Pensions Scheme) and many opportunities to attend performances at the Guildhall School.

We are particularly keen to encourage interest from people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, Black, Asian, and other global majority backgrounds who are currently under-represented at Guildhall School. In recognising the positive value of diversity, we want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. We support and provide adjustments for people with disabilities – if you have a disability and need help with the application process please contact us.

The Guildhall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, workers, and volunteers to share this commitment. The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.