HR Advisor in Birmingham

• Description
• About School of Coding & AI

School of Coding & AI is a fast-growing education group delivering career-focused learning across higher education, digital skills, AI, health, business and wider professional programmes.

We employ teams across a growing number of locations and functions, supporting learners, educational partners and communities in the UK and internationally.

As the organisation continues to expand, our HR team plays an important role in ensuring that managers receive reliable advice, employees are treated fairly and our people processes remain consistent, compliant and fit for growth.

About the role

The HR Advisor will provide practical and professional HR support across School of Coding & AI, acting as a key point of contact for managers and employees on a broad range of people matters.

This is a varied role covering employee relations, absence management, performance, recruitment and onboarding, payroll coordination, HR compliance and employee development.

You will manage day-to-day HR matters while helping managers make informed, fair and legally compliant decisions.

You will also work closely with the HR Manager to identify emerging risks, improve processes and ensure that HR activity supports the organisation’s wider priorities.

The role requires someone who is comfortable managing sensitive employee matters, balancing competing priorities and following cases through from initial advice to resolution.

• What You’ll Be Doing
• Provide clear and practical HR advice to managers and employees on policies, procedures and UK employment legislation.
• Manage employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, conduct, performance and absence matters.
• Support formal meetings, investigations and hearings, including preparing documentation, chairing meetings and taking notes where required.
• Identify employment risks, escalate complex matters appropriately and ensure cases are handled fairly, consistently and within agreed timescales.
• Monitor short-term and long-term absence, support return-to-work and absence review processes, and coordinate occupational health referrals.
• Support managers with probation reviews, performance improvement plans, capability processes and employee wellbeing matters.
• Work with the Recruitment Team and hiring managers to coordinate contracts, pre-employment checks, onboarding, inductions and probation processes.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR systems, processing starters, leavers, promotions, salary changes, transfers and contractual amendments.
• Ensure employee information and HR documentation are managed securely, accurately and in line with UK GDPR and compliance requirements.
• Prepare and check monthly payroll information, resolve pay queries and support the administration of pensions, benefits and salary reviews.
• Coordinate mandatory, compliance and professional development training, maintaining accurate records and monitoring completion.
• Produce HR reports and KPI dashboards covering areas such as turnover, absence, employee relations, recruitment, probation and training.
• Analyse people data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, making recommendations to improve employee experience and business performance.
• Support HR projects, policy reviews, employee engagement activity and improvements to HR processes and systems.
• Build effective relationships with managers and work collaboratively with Recruitment, Finance, Payroll and other teams to deliver a consistent and responsive HR service.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• CIPD Level 3 qualification or equivalent practical HR experience.
• Previous experience working as an HR Advisor, Junior HR Advisor or experienced Senior HR Coordinator.
• Experience independently supporting employee relations cases.
• Working knowledge of UK employment legislation and ACAS guidance.
• Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability or performance processes.
• Experience preparing employment contracts, HR letters and formal employee documentation.
• Experience supporting recruitment, pre-employment checks and onboarding.
• Experience coordinating payroll information and employee changes.
• Experience using an HR information system.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear, balanced and commercially practical HR advice.
• Strong organisation and case-management skills.
• High levels of discretion, confidentiality and professional judgement.
• Excellent attention to detail and record keeping.
• Confidence working with managers and employees at different levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Power Point.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 qualified or currently working towards the qualification.
• Experience working within education, higher education or another regulated environment.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring or consultation processes.
• Experience producing HR dashboards, reports or workforce analysis.
• Experience coordinating occupational health referrals.
• Experience supporting employee engagement or wellbeing initiatives.
• Experience working within a growing, multi-site or multi-entity organisation.
• Why Join Us
• Join a growing organisation where HR has a direct influence on how the business develops.
• Gain exposure to a broad range of employee relations and organisational matters.
• Work closely with managers across different departments and business areas.
• Contribute to the improvement of HR systems, policies and processes.
• Develop your experience as part of an expanding HR function.
• Support an organisation focused on education, opportunity and positive learner outcomes.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holiday
• Up to 20 hours per year of paid time off for medical appointments
• Enrolled in pension scheme from the first month
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Strong CPD and development opportunities
• Employee recognition scheme
• Company and social events
• Retail discounts through Bright Exchange