People Advisor in Penrith

Location: Penrith (hybrid, with regular UK travel)

Salary: £35,000–£40,000 per annum, dependent on qualifications and experience

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, hybrid working with at least 2 days per week based in Penrith

Role overview

The Outward Bound Trust is a respected, values‑led charity that has, for over 80 years, helped young people discover what they’re capable of through challenging and life‑changing experiences. Behind those experiences are passionate and committed colleagues, and the People team plays a vital role in helping them thrive. As People Advisor, you will work in close partnership with managers across the Trust, providing practical advice, guidance and coaching on a broad range of people matters. Outward Bound believes that great people management happens closest to the teams, so managers take ownership of most People processes, you’ll be the trusted expert at their side, helping them build confidence and capability to manage their teams effectively. You will ensure policies are applied fairly and consistently, support a positive employee experience, and contribute directly to the People Strategy that underpins Outward Bound’s ambitious future. This is a role where you can make a genuine difference to both the people who work here and the young people they ultimately serve.

You will be responsible for:

• Manager partnership: Working in partnership with managers, providing day‑to‑day advice, guidance and coaching on people management issues, helping them build confidence and skills to manage their teams effectively.
• Employee relations: Supporting managers with a wide range of employee relations matters, ensuring fair, consistent and pragmatic application of policies and procedures.
• Recruitment & onboarding: Advising on and supporting recruitment activity, helping managers attract, select and integrate colleagues who align with Outward Bound’s values and purpose.
• Performance management: Guiding managers through performance management processes, helping them set expectations, give feedback and support development.
• Absence & wellbeing: Providing advice on absence management and wellbeing, supporting managers to balance individual needs with organisational requirements and promoting a positive, supportive environment.
• Organisational change & policy guidance: Supporting organisational change initiatives and providing clear, practical guidance on HR policies, ensuring they are understood and applied consistently.
• Training & capability building: Spending time at centres and offices, delivering training and workshops that develop managers’ people management skills and strengthen local leadership capability.
• Relationship building & site visits: Regularly visiting centres and offices across the UK (typically every 4–6 weeks, including occasional overnight stays) to build trusted relationships, understand local contexts and ensure the People function is visible, accessible and supportive.
• Projects & People Strategy: Working alongside People team colleagues on projects and initiatives that support the People Strategy and help make Outward Bound a great place to work.

About you

You will join a small, passionate People team that is focused on creating a great experience for the people who work at Outward Bound. If colleagues thrive, they are better placed to support the young people who take part in the Trust’s life‑changing courses. You’ll combine sound HR knowledge with a practical, people‑focused approach. You enjoy building strong relationships, helping managers solve problems and finding pragmatic solutions that work for both individuals and the organisation. You’ll be confident working independently, but equally value being part of a supportive, collaborative team. Above all, you care about creating a positive experience for people and are motivated by the impact that has on the young people Outward Bound serves.

What you’ll bring:

• HR/People Advisor experience: Experience in an HR or People Advisor role, providing advice and guidance to managers on a range of people matters.
• Relationship‑building capability: Strong relationship‑building skills, with the ability to gain trust and credibility quickly across different teams and locations.
• Organisation & attention to detail: Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage information, processes and documentation accurately.
• Systems & IT confidence: Confidence using Microsoft Office applications and HR systems to support effective people management and reporting.
• Decision‑making & prioritisation: The ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions and balance operational demands with people needs.
• Proactive, independent working style: A proactive approach, with the confidence to work independently when needed while staying closely connected to the team.
• Curiosity, resilience & collaboration: Curiosity to understand people and organisational dynamics, resilience in the face of challenges, and a collaborative mindset that supports shared problem‑solving.
• Sector experience (desirable): Experience in the charity, education or outdoor sectors would be welcome, but is not essential.

Why join The Outward Bound Trust?

This is an opportunity to work in a values‑led organisation where people genuinely care about each other and the difference they make. You’ll have the chance to influence how Outward Bound supports and develops its people, while working alongside colleagues who are passionate about helping young people unlock their potential. You’ll be joining a supportive People team, building relationships across the organisation and contributing to work that makes a real, tangible difference.

Core benefits:

• Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days.
• Life Assurance: Three times salary from your start date, including access to an Employee Assistance Helpline.
• Long‑Term Disability Insurance: Providing two‑thirds salary (less state incapacity benefit) after six months’ absence, for up to two years.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Easy access to medical and mental health support, including GP appointments, physiotherapy and counselling services.
• Personal Accident Insurance: Cover while at work or commuting.
• Health Cash Plan (Medicash): Available following successful completion of probation (taxable benefit).
• Pension Scheme: Currently Standard Life, with automatic enrolment after three months’ service.
• Sick pay: Eight weeks’ sick pay at full salary within any 12‑month period.

Additional benefits:

• Berghaus uniform items provided, plus access to discounted Berghaus products.
• Discounted course fees for family members.
• Personal Adventures: A positive attitude towards extended and unpaid leave, with appropriate planning and agreement, supporting your own adventures and life outside work.

Summary

This People Advisor role offers a rare combination of purpose, influence and variety—supporting colleagues who, in turn, help young people discover what they’re truly capable of.