Assistant HR Advisor in Wigan

Main area Human Resources Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract 9 months (This vacancy is open to all internal candidates. NHS employees should obtain their manager’s approval for a secondment before applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. Secondment Cover/Fixed Term for 9 months until May 2027 or until resumption of the post holder, whichever is soonest. Although the post is currently advertised as a fixed term/secondment position, there is a possibility that it could become permanent in the future without the need for re‑advertisement.) Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday ( Please Note: This role is PENDING AFC SALARY BANDING APPROVAL; therefore, salary cannot be fully confirmed until the Banding is approved.)) Job ref 302-26-8257757CPR

Site Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX Town Wigan Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/09/2026 23:59

People at the Heart. One Team. Your Career at WWL.

Job overview

To provide a high-quality, responsive HR advisory service to managers and staff across the organisation. The postholder will support the management of employee relations casework, attendance management processes, recruitment activities and workforce initiatives, providing advice on routine and non-complex HR matters in accordance with employment legislation, NHS terms and conditions, organisational policies and best practice.

NHS employees should obtain their manager’s approval for a secondment before applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made. Although the post is currently advertised as a fixed term/secondment position, there is a possibility that it could become permanent in the future without the need for re‑advertisement.

Please be advised this post is not eligible for sponsorship.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

The Assistant HR Advisor will manage a caseload of low-risk employee relations matters and provide administrative and advisory support for more complex workforce issues under the guidance of HR Advisors and Senior HR colleagues.

The postholder will act as a key point of contact for managers, offering first-line advice and support while developing knowledge and skills across the full range of HR advisory functions.

Working for our organisation

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high‑quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do — we believe that happy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success.

We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

People at the Heart

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high‑quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.

Listen and InvolveKind and Respectful

• ONE Team

At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations Support

Provide first-line HR advice to managers and employees on routine employee relations matters.

Manage a caseload of straightforward cases including:

• Sickness absence management.
• Minor conduct and capability concerns.
• Support HR Advisors with disciplinary, grievance, capability and dignity at work cases.
• Review case documentation to ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Assist managers in preparing for formal meetings and hearings.
• Attend formal meetings to provide procedural advice and note‑taking support where required.
• Draft correspondence, outcome letters and meeting documentation for review by HR Manager.
• Ensure all case records are maintained accurately and confidentially.

HR Advisory Service

• Respond to general HR queries from managers and employees.
• Interpret and explain HR policies, procedures and terms and conditions of employment.
• Provide advice on workforce policies and employment processes within defined parameters.
• Signpost complex, high‑risk or contentious issues to HR Advisors or HR Manager.
• Promote consistent application of HR policies across the organisation

Supporting Attendance and Wellbeing

• Support managers with sickness absence monitoring and management processes.
• Assist in the preparation of management information relating to absence trends and workforce metrics.
• Provide advice on organisational wellbeing initiatives and relevant policies.
• Support referrals and processes associated with occupational health recommendations.

Training and Development

• Support delivery of HR briefings, workshops and manager training sessions.
• Assist in the development of guidance notes and management resources.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the HR Advisory Team.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of employment legislation and NHS workforce developments.

Service Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and customer experience.
• Contribute to HR projects and workforce initiatives as required.
• Participate in team meetings and service development activities.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development

• Contribute suggestions for improving HR processes and procedures.
• Support implementation of new workforce policies and guidance.
• Provide feedback to senior colleagues regarding operational issues impacting service delivery.

Communications and Relationships

The postholder will establish and maintain effective working relationships with:

• Managers and supervisors.
• Employees.
• Trade Union representatives.
• HR colleagues.
• Occupational Health services.
• Recruitment teams.
• Payroll services.
• External agencies where appropriate.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE in mathematics and English (Grades A-C) or equivalent or NVQ 3 standard in relevant subject
• Sound knowledge of employment law and employee relations procedures
• Attainment of, or working towards relevant qualifications e.g. CIPD or equivalent HR experience

Experience

• Experience of working within an HR or people management environment.
• Experience of providing advice to managers or staff.
• Experience of handling confidential information.
• Experience of administrative case management and record keeping.
• Experience of working to deadlines and managing competing priorities.
• NHS HR experience.
• Experience supporting attendance management.
• Experience supporting employee relations casework.
• Experience of workforce information systems (e.g. ESR).

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Ability to analyse information and identify key issues.
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Report Writing Skills

Knowledge

• Understanding of HR principles and practices.
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Awareness of sickness absence management processes.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

Additional

• Professional and approachable manner. Commitment to continuous learning and development.
• Resilient and able to work under pressure.
• Demonstrates integrity and sound judgement.
• Commitment to NHS values and behaviours.
• Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation

We endeavour to inform all applicants of the outcome of their application by email or SMS text message.

On-Call

Please note that some roles may require participation in an on-call rota, particularly those that are operational in nature.

WWL is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. We recognise continuous or ‘unbroken’ service from any Greater Manchester Local Authority, NHS organisation, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This ensures access to our service‑related benefits.