Senior People Advisor in Leeds

The successful Senior People Advisor will be responsible for delivering high-quality, pragmatic people advisory support to partners, managers, and colleagues across HGF’s Intellectual Property practices (Patents, Trade Marks, and Law). Your work will enable an excellent colleague experience, ensure compliant operations, and strengthen manager capability. This role combines hands-on casework leadership with data-driven insights to inform decision-making. You will play a key part in implementing People & Culture priorities, including engagement, reward and recognition, role clarity, and scalable processes—helping to shape a positive and high-performing workplace.

About You

You’re an experienced HR professional with proven senior advisory expertise and strong commercial awareness. Skilled in planning and problem-solving, you manage multiple priorities effectively while supporting your team and stakeholders. You bring analytical thinking and data literacy to your work, using insights to inform decisions and improve processes. You will have a Level 3 CIPD (minimum) or equivalent experience. Confident in project coordination and risk management, you ensure compliance and maintain high standards. Your technical HR knowledge makes you a trusted subject matter expert, and you’re committed to continuous development. You combine excellent coaching and communication skills with the ability to simplify complex issues and influence managers. Alongside a solid understanding of UK employment law and exposure to multi-country issues, you’re comfortable working with external counsel when needed. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and HR systems, familiarity with engagement platforms, and awareness of AI-enabled tools for automation and analytics are highly valued.

Employee Relations & Manager Coaching

• Lead ER casework (performance, conduct, sickness, grievances, probation) with sound process and documentation.
• Coach managers on effective conversations and partner on complex or high-risk matters.

Colleague Lifecycle & Policy

• Deliver key people activities (e.g., onboarding check-ins, exit interviews) and maintain policies/templates across jurisdictions.
• Support role clarity initiatives and rollout of reward, benefits, and recognition platforms.

Talent Attraction & Workforce Planning

• Advise hiring managers on role profiles and interviews in partnership with Talent team.
• Prepare business case inputs and coordinate approvals through ATS.
• Ensure HRIS accuracy and produce monthly metrics/insights for stakeholders.
• Identify process improvements and contribute to manager resources on SharePoint/Teams.

Why move to HGF?

HGF takes a transparent and merit-based approach to your career development and you will have the opportunity to shape your long-term progression. We’re a firm with a focus on DEI (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion), with a staff led DEI Focus Group, affinity networks and a DEI Board sponsor. As a business we have a dedicated Learning and Development team focused on career long development of your skills along with a digital learning platform covering a wide range of content. Benefits including our award winning enhanced parental leave policy, 27 days holiday, bonus scheme and flexible working.

HGF Values

• People - People matter. We treat people fairly, with respect and compassion. We foster a friendly, inclusive and enjoyable culture for everyone to prosper in. We invest in our people and offer appropriate coaching and training to assist with development. We promote a healthy work-life balance. Progression is based on merit.
• Excellence – We strive to be the best. We pursue excellence in all our individual roles resulting in outstanding legal and technical advice for our clients. Our people are pragmatic, responsive and commercially minded. We do not presume but listen to understand so we can engage proactively and appropriately.
• Teamwork – We stand together. We work with our clients to protect their interests, and with each other as a mutually supporting firm. We value, appreciate and listen to others, regardless of role, recognising each individual’s particular blend of talent, skill and experience. We are individually and jointly accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
• Progressive – We innovate. We continually improve our services and processes through understanding, creativity, and investment. We evolve by taking opportunities and adopting new business procedures, unencumbered by historical structures or out-of-date attitudes. As a firm, we have an entrepreneurial spirit, and encourage new thinking in our people.