Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert HR advice, manage employee relations, and support strategic initiatives.
- Company: Join a friendly and supportive HR team at Porter Dodson.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, extra holiday for your birthday, and a clear career development pathway.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in HR while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified or working towards it, with 3-5 years of HR advisory experience.
- Other info: Opportunities for mentoring, charity involvement, and team socials.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
HR Advisor role at Porter Dodson.
Direct message the job poster from Porter Dodson.
The Role
We have a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated HR Advisor to join our friendly and supportive HR team. Reporting directly to the Head of HR, this is a varied and interesting role where you will provide a comprehensive and proactive HR service to the firm, supporting operational HR activities and strategic projects.
Based in any of our 7 offices, this is a full-time, permanent position with flexibility to occasionally work from home. The role will also require travel between our southwest offices. We have 7 office locations across Exeter, Wellington, Taunton, Yeovil, Sherborne, Poundbury and Bridport.
Responsibilities
- Operational HR Support: Provide expert advice on complex HR queries, policies, employee relations, and employment law. Own key HR processes (absence, performance, disciplinaries, grievances, contract changes, flexible working). Coach and support line managers to raise people management capability.
- Employee Relations: Manage employee relation cases from end to end, advising and influencing managers. Ensure confidentiality and compliance with legal frameworks (particularly UK employment law).
- Policy & Process Improvement: Review, develop, and implement HR policies and procedures in line with legal and business requirements. Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline HR processes, digitisation, and data reporting.
- Data & Compliance: Maintain accurate HR data and implement regular audits for compliance. Collate and analyse HR metrics to inform decision-making and support the Head of HR with board reporting.
- Support Strategic Initiatives: Participate in and sometimes lead on projects linked to the firm’s people strategy (e.g., D&I, wellbeing, engagement, reward, talent management). Deputise for the Head of HR and attend meetings as needed.
- Learning & Development: Support implementation of training programmes; identify development needs via data and ER trends. Work closely with the Recruitment & Early Careers Manager and HR Assistant to ensure seamless service delivery. Build relationships with key stakeholders across the business.
About You
This role would suit someone who has excellent interpersonal skills and a flexible, warm approach, with the ability to build lasting relationships. The ideal candidate will be part or full CIPD qualified (at any level), have 3-5 years’ HR advisory experience providing support across the full employee lifecycle. More technical requirements include excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Excel and HR systems.
Essential Skills and experience
- Solid operational HR experience (ideally within legal or professional services).
- Strong up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and best practice.
- Track record of owning and resolving a range of employee relations cases, with limited escalation.
- Excellent communicator with strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- High level of organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Experience supporting (or interest in) HR projects/continuous improvement.
- Confident with HRIS and data reporting.
- Experience of leading small projects or initiatives.
- Exposure to HR strategy and demonstrable ambition to develop into HR leadership.
- Prior experience in a law firm or similar regulated environment.
- CIPD or working towards.
Behaviours
- Proactive self-starter, accountable, and solution-focused.
- Discreet and professional, with sound judgement.
- Growth mindset and openness to feedback.
- Collaborative, approachable and team focussed.
The Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary, this role will offer mentoring and regular development reviews. Opportunity to take on additional strategic projects and deputise at a senior level, and a clear development pathway to a more senior HR position within 3-4 years.
You will also get:
- Flexible Working
- Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday
- Pension Scheme(s)
- Life Assurance
- Eye Tests
- Flu Jabs
- Legal Support
- Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials
#J-18808-Ljbffr
HR Advisor employer: Porter Dodson
Contact Detail:
Porter Dodson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Porter Dodson on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your application noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common HR scenarios and how you’d handle them. Think about your past experiences and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills and knowledge in HR.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for joining the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. We love seeing candidates who take the time to engage with us directly, so make sure you put your best foot forward!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in operational HR and employee relations. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it friendly and professional, just like us at StudySmarter.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your IT skills and knowledge of UK employment law. Mention any specific HRIS systems you've used and how you've improved processes in previous roles. We love a proactive self-starter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Good luck!
How to prepare for a job interview at Porter Dodson
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and best practices. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled and how you resolved them, as this will show your expertise and confidence in operational HR.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an HR Advisor, your interpersonal skills are crucial. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to build relationships and influence others. Think about times when you've coached managers or managed employee relations cases effectively.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life HR situations. Practice responding to scenarios involving performance issues, grievances, or policy changes. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your proactive approach to HR challenges.
✨Highlight Your Project Experience
If you've led or participated in HR projects, make sure to mention them. Discuss any continuous improvement initiatives you've been involved in, especially those related to digitisation or data reporting, as these align with the role's responsibilities.
