HR Advisor

Salary and Working Hours

HR Advisor - Education Focused. Salary: £51,356 - £56,673. Working Hours: 35 hours per week. Location: Liverpool, with regional travel.

Benefits

At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years' service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days. Agile working (role dependent) - a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception. Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme - option to join the AVC Scheme. Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning. Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme. Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes. Drive Time - a salary sacrifice car lease scheme. Family friendly policies with enhanced leave. Discounted Gym Memberships. Employee Volunteering Scheme. Medicash.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced HR professional to join a specialist HR team supporting educational settings. This is a highly influential role, providing expert HR and Employee Relations advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk employment matters across a diverse education workforce. As the HR Professional, you will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, Headteachers and governing bodies, delivering pragmatic and legally compliant HR solutions while supporting positive employee relations and organisational effectiveness. The role offers the opportunity to work on a broad range of complex casework, workforce change programmes and policy development initiatives, ensuring best practice HR support is delivered across educational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management, organisational change and dismissal processes.
• Support senior leaders and Headteachers in managing sensitive employment issues, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, safeguarding requirements and organisational policies.
• Lead on complex hearings, appeals and formal employment processes, providing robust advice and recommendations to support informed decision making.
• Develop, review and implement HR policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect current legislation, best practice and sector requirements.
• Build effective relationships with key stakeholders, including senior leaders, governing bodies, trade union representatives and external agencies.
• Support consultation processes relating to workforce change, restructures and organisational developments.
• Provide guidance on cases where employee relations, safeguarding and organisational risk intersect, ensuring appropriate governance and risk management considerations are applied.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across HR, legal and operational functions to deliver consistent and commercially focused HR solutions.
• Contribute to the development of HR best practice, workforce planning initiatives and employee wellbeing strategies.
• Coach and support managers to build confidence and capability in managing people related matters effectively.

About You

• Significant experience delivering high level HR Advisory or Employee Relations support within complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing complex and high risk employee relations cases from initial advice through to conclusion.
• The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders while maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Experience working in unionised environments and supporting consultation processes.
• Excellent judgement and the ability to balance legal, operational and people considerations when providing advice.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and solution focused approach to HR delivery.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional HR experience.