HR Advisor (FTC) in Colchester

Position Start Date: 17/01/2026

Contract Type: Full-time

Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 15/12/2025 Midnight

Date of Interviews: TBC

Salary: £27,674 - £28,472

Reference No: SR2015

Location: Cross Campus

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Contract: Fixed term contract

Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives in a busy, fast-paced environment? We are looking for a proactive and motivated HR Advisor to provide first-class HR advice and support across the College. This is a fantastic opportunity to work across the full employee life cycle, from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations, wellbeing initiatives, and payroll administration.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To provide high-quality first-line HR advice and support to staff and managers across the College. You will be the first point of contact for HR queries, ensuring advice is consistent, accurate, and aligned with policy, procedures, and employment legislation. The role supports the employee lifecycle, including wellbeing, recruitment, employee relations, payroll, and performance management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide advice and guidance to managers on employee relations issues such as disciplinary, grievance, capability, and performance management.
• Coach and support managers in the effective use of HR policies and procedures, including probation reviews and appraisals.
• Lead wellbeing initiatives across campuses, promoting a positive staff culture.
• Support absence management, liaising with external organisations where necessary.
• Produce accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual HR reports for senior management and external bodies.
• Drive the annual appraisal cycle, ensuring consistency and compliance.
• Manage a high volume of HR queries, prioritising effectively.
• Support recruitment processes, including preparing documentation, organising interviews, and facilitating onboarding.
• Deliver monthly induction sessions for new staff.
• Prepare HR documentation such as contracts, payroll inputs, DBS checks, and employee records with high accuracy.
• Input into HR policy, procedures, and process improvement.
• Support payroll administration by preparing and inputting monthly data.
• Contribute to safeguarding and PREVENT practices across the College.
• Undertake ad hoc projects and provide cross-campus HR support as required.

About You:

We are looking for someone who is:

• Significant HR Advisor experience in a busy and fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of employee relations issues and basic employment law (e.g., TUPE, discrimination, statutory pay).
• Excellent organisation, time management, and prioritisation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and support senior HR colleagues.
• Strong coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Self-motivated and proactive.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience providing high-level HR administrative support, including payroll.
• Experience reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
• Previous experience working within an education environment.

The right candidate will have:

This role will suit someone who is confident, approachable, and solutions-focused. You will be able to manage competing priorities and maintain professionalism while supporting staff at all levels. You will bring resilience, a proactive mindset, and the ability to balance day-to-day HR tasks with strategic projects. Above all, you will be passionate about people, wellbeing, and supporting the College's mission to create an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Why choose us?

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer:

• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Annual Staff Awards.
• CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching.
• Free onsite parking.
• Staff appreciation days.
• Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Hybrid Working available.
• Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance.

* subject to terms & conditions. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.