Senior HR / ER Advisor – 12+ months FTC in Southampton

Henlee Resourcing is working in partnership with this niche professional services company with a base in Southampton to recruit an experienced Senior HR / ER Advisor for an initial 12 months FTC to cover for maternity starting ASAP. Hybrid working (3 office days per week), flexibility plus great benefits and working environment are offered.

The purpose of the role is to provide a first‑class HR service to the organisation by delivering professional, commercial and value adding support and advice. You will act as a subject‑matter expert for employee relations, providing high‑quality, timely and commercially astute advice across a broad range of ER matters. The role requires exceptional judgement, up‑to‑date knowledge of UK employment law and the ability to influence and support senior stakeholders. You will be joining a fabulous high performing, collegiate HR team of six.

About the role:

• Act as an internal specialist on UK employment law, keeping the business informed of legislative changes and case law developments.
• Review, update, and draft HR policies, ensuring they reflect best practice, legal compliance and the requirements of the business.
• Lead and manage ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, sickness absence, flexible working and capability matters supporting managers throughout the process.
• Lead and manage the onboarding and probation process, providing support and guidance in alignment with the policies and expectations.
• Provide expert, risk‑based advice, ensuring decisions are legally compliant and aligned with policies.
• Prepare and review case documentation, investigation reports and outcome letters.
• Support early resolution of issues using proactive interventions.
• Maintain accurate case records and ensure timely progression of all ER matters.
• Provide guidance and signposting to employees on a range of wellbeing and employee relations matters, signposting to appropriate support and resources.
• Lead and manage the leaver process, conducting exit interviews, analysing feedback, and escalating key themes with recommendations for improvements.
• Lead the onboarding experience for new employees, ensuring a professional and effective delivery of the induction programme.
• Lead and manage the life cycle of the trainee’s qualification journey, working closely with the business to align trainee capability with appropriate exam timings.
• Responsible for ensuring that all training including mandatory, compliance and professional qualification training is delivered in a timely and cost‑effective manner.
• Working with the HR Manager and EDI partner to arrange events and initiatives such as awareness raising webinars and training.
• Support the HR Manager in running the Mental Health First Aider service including keeping up to date with best practice, booking training, preparing for and co‑hosting the network meetings and ensuring promotional material is kept up to date and well publicised across the business.

About you:

• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in a Senior HR Advisory or ER Specialist role preferably within a professional services, legal, or similarly regulated environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex ER cases from end‑to‑end.
• Strong, current knowledge of UK employment law and best practice HR.
• Ability to interpret legislation, draft policies, presentations and guidance documents.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• Experience of managing competing demands and working to tight deadlines.
• Able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation to drive projects forward.
• Work collaboratively with the HR team and other operations departments to identify and drive forward value add initiatives and projects.
• Experience in design and delivery of training.

If you are looking for an interesting and varied role in an organisation that is growing, you possess the above skills / competencies, can start ASAP / can commit to an initial 12 month contract, we are keen to hear from you ASAP.