Senior HR Advisor

Lead a trusted HR service that empowers managers, strengthens people capability and supports colleagues to deliver exceptional care. Joining us means becoming part of a forward-looking care organisation with a strong, long-term commitment to the success of every home. Supported by planned investment and the resources needed to deliver high-quality, sustainable care, we are focused on creating the right environment for colleagues to thrive and communities to grow.

This is a full-time, office-based role based at our Support Office in Darlington, working 40 hours per week and offering the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation to support homes nationwide.

As Senior HR Advisor, you will play a key role within the People function, providing expert HR business partnering and employee relations support across a complex, multi-site care organisation. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead and support the HR Advisory team, ensuring managers receive consistent, practical and legally compliant advice across all aspects of the employee lifecycle. This is a varied and influential role, combining leadership of the HR Advisory team with hands-on management of complex employee relations matters. You will support senior operational leaders, coach managers to build their people capability and provide expert guidance on sensitive workforce issues. Working closely with the wider People team, you will help deliver a proactive HR service that strengthens leadership capability, improves colleague experience and supports organisational performance.

You are an experienced HR professional who understands how to balance sound employment practice with practical business support. You will bring credibility, confidence and a solutions-focused approach to advising managers, managing complex employee relations cases and developing the capability of others. You will be comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, handling sensitive situations and providing clear guidance that helps managers make fair, consistent and effective people decisions.

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience in a Senior HR Advisor or experienced HR Advisor role within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice, including employee relations, safer recruitment, right-to-work requirements and GDPR.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and performance matters.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of HR professionals.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with managers at all levels.
• Strong written communication skills, with experience producing clear and legally compliant HR documentation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and deliver a high-quality HR service.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 7 qualification.
• Experience working within adult social care, healthcare or another regulated environment.
• Experience supporting organisational change, TUPE or restructuring programmes.
• Experience producing HR reporting, workforce insight and management information.
• Experience supporting managers across a large, geographically dispersed workforce.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping to shape a strong, supportive and effective People function. You will work alongside senior leaders and operational teams to strengthen people management capability, support colleagues through key moments in their employment journey and ensure managers have the confidence to lead effectively. The role is based at the Central Support Office in Darlington, with regular travel to homes and regional locations across the portfolio as required. You will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS disclosure and comply with relevant licence checks in line with insurance requirements.