HR Advisor North West/East (1 year FTC) - Belvedere, Manchester

Description

The HR Advisor provides an effective HR service to line managers, surveyors and employees, offering guidance on policies and procedures while ensuring compliance with employment law. This role supports the organization by managing employee relations matters and contributing to a fair and consistent workplace.

The advisor holds full ownership of case management within the North West/East region, collaborates with senior HR partners on projects and initiatives, and regularly travels to various sites, including occasional national trips. They liaise with HR Operations, the Operations Team, and training functions to ensure smooth processes around recruitment, TUPE, documentation, and employee communications, while acting as a role model for the company's values and promoting wellbeing and inclusion.

• Advise and coach line managers, surveyors and employees on queries regarding policies, procedures, employee relations issues etc., via telephone, email or face to face.
• Manage a high volume and varied employee relations case load, assisting and advising line managers/surveyors with the interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures, including disciplinary, grievance, performance/capability, sickness absence etc. in a fast paced environment.
• Attend employee relations meetings as required, (e.g. disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, flexible working etc).
• Advise on investigations up to complex matters (including discrimination, whistleblowing, etc).
• Compile and issue all appropriate HR documentation required within employee relations cases.
• Facilitate complex exit strategies when required including settlement agreement negotiations.
• Discuss any restructure proposals with the Surveyor / Line Manager to devise the business/HR strategy to move forward with facilitating this process and manage any potential redundancy situations arising as a result of restructure proposals.
• Identify and escalate ER related risk and emerging trends and take ownership of actions recommended (e.g. coaching / training).
• Contribution to the management of escalated casework including the preparation of Employment Tribunal bundles.
• Manage the mobilisation process of the transfer of employees (both in and out), ensuring the Company complies with TUPE regulations and that any transition of employees is smooth and professional with the least disruption to the employee.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant employment law legislation and ensure that the Company complies. Attend seminars / training programs to enhance knowledge.
• Assist in reviews of existing or development of new internal SMR policies, procedures and HR documentation.
• Ensure all completed case work is securely stored electronically, on paper records within personnel files and up to date on the Company’s online HR system, Cascade.
• Ensure all paperwork arising from general HR queries is stored electronically and/or on employee personnel files as appropriate.
• Ensure employee confidentiality is maintained at all times and data protection legislation is adhered to.
• Provide line managers with general advice on following a fair and consistent recruitment process.
• Assist the HR Operations team where necessary to ensure the job description and person specifications are complete for all roles being recruited to.
• Attend interviews when appropriate.
• Hold full ownership of and accountability for case management within allocated region, with support from Senior HR Business Partner/Head of HR Advisory.
• Support Senior HRBP with wider projects and HR initiatives.
• Liaise with the HR Operations team to arrange for new starters documentation to be issued where appropriate and review prepared employment contracts.
• Liaise with the HR Operations Team to keep records up to date and ensure standard letters are issued in a timely manner.
• Ensure efficient communications within internal teams and to appropriate third parties, where applicable.
• Liaise with the Operations Team on issues such as TUPE, Health and Safety and Security.
• Liaise with the Pathways Training team on the training needs of employees and assist with Inductions, where appropriate.
• Work with other team members on the implementation of the Human Resources Business Plan including working on ad hoc HR projects.
• Attend scheduled meetings within the department to ensure that all members are aware of all key issues.
• Act as a role model for SMR’s values and contribute to creating a workplace with wellbeing and inclusion at its core, highlighting opportunities to improve any people practices.

Requirements

Key skills include strong communication, the ability to influence managers, proficient use of MS Office, and maintaining confidentiality. The adviser must stay updated on employment legislation, understand best practices across HR areas, and be able to analyse management information to support policy compliance in a busy environment.

Required qualifications are a Grad CIPD (or progress toward it) and a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalents) in Maths and English at grade C or above. Applicants should have at least three years of experience in a fast‑paced generalist HR setting, be comfortable using HR information systems, and have practical experience participating in procedural meetings and advising on HR issues.

• Regular travel to and presence on properties within the geographic North West/East region, inclusive but not limited to Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds & Sheffield. Additionally, some national travel and overnight stays are required from time to time for events such as team meetings, training and assistance within other regions.
• Knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Knowledge of best practice in specific HR areas (such as recruitment & selection, absence management, capability issues, disciplinary and grievance, etc.).
• Knowledge of good line management practice.
• Ability to demonstrate a level of punctual and reliable attendance at work required to satisfactorily fulfil job role.
• Ability to use MS Office competently.
• Ability to manage and influence managers to develop best practice and personal performance.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with others.
• Ability to maintain a professional and confidential attitude to all aspects of the post.
• Ability to examine management information and use it to best advantage.
• Ability to enable line managers to achieve policy compliance whilst working in a busy environment.
• Ability to produce accurate and legible written material, plans and reports to meet deadlines.
• Ability to organise and prioritise own workload to meet job requirements.
• Grad CIPD or evidence of good progress with award.
• 5 GCSE or equivalent standard in Maths and English (Grade C or above).
• 3 years’ Experience of working in a fast-paced generalist HR environment.
• Experience of using Information Technology in a HR and administrative context.
• Practical experience of participating in procedural meetings and in advising on HR issues.

Benefits

The position is a one‑year fixed‑term contract covering maternity leave, working 37.5 hours per week (9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday). Additional details on benefits are available in the company's Benefits Booklet.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance