Senior HR Advisor

Location: Herefordshire - schools, office and home working
Salary: £37,932 - £45,002 FTE
Hours: 37 hours per week - applications for 30 hours also considered
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid, with regular travel to sites

Our client, a leading organisation is hiring an experienced Senior HR Advisor to provide high-quality, solution-focused HR support across Herefordshire.

This is a visible, hands-on role where your judgement, credibility and ability to build trusted relationships will have a genuine impact. You'll work closely with headteachers, governors and senior leaders, often supporting them through complex and sensitive situations.

What makes this role different
This isn't a purely desk-based or remote HR position.
You'll regularly be out in schools, sometimes at short notice, responding to live issues where your experience and professional judgement really matter.
On average, you'll spend 2-3 days per week in the office or on school sites, although this will vary according to customer demand. There will also be opportunities for home working.
If you enjoy being visible, trusted and relied upon as a senior HR partner, this is an excellent opportunity.

What you'll do

• Manage complex HR casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, redundancy and TUPE matters
• Advise and support headteachers, governors and senior leaders through challenging situations
• Act as an investigating officer where required, producing reports and recommendations
• Provide advice on education-specific terms and conditions, policies and statutory frameworks
• Support organisational change and consultation processes, including trade union engagement
• Lead the development and review of HR policies and procedures
• Design and deliver HR training for schools and other clients
• Build strong, credible relationships that support excellent service delivery
• Work autonomously while drawing on support from an experienced HR management team

What we're looking for

• Significant experience managing complex HR casework from start to finish
• Strong knowledge of employment law and its practical application
• Confidence advising senior stakeholders and influencing decisions
• Experience working in unionised environments and managing consultations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A calm, professional and decisive approach when dealing with challenging situations
• A flexible, pragmatic and solutions-focused mindset
• Full CIPD qualification, or equivalent professional experience and ongoing development

Experience within schools or education settings would be highly desirable, particularly knowledge of frameworks such as the Burgundy Book, Green Book, STPCD and School Staffing Regulations.
However, candidates from other HR backgrounds are encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate the capability to transfer their expertise into an education environment.
Travel & flexibility
The role involves regular travel to school sites across Herefordshire, sometimes at short notice, so you'll need to be able to travel independently for business purposes.
Occasional evening work may also be required to support clients.
Why join?

• A varied HR role with genuine impact on schools and local communities
• Supportive and experienced HR team
• Flexible working that balances business requirements with home working
• 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to a rewards platform with discounts across retailers and restaurants

Our client is committed to an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.

Apply now to take on a senior HR role where your expertise can make a real difference.