Senior HR Advisor

Senior HR Advisor

The closing date is 26 March 2026

The Senior HR Advisor role will support the delivery of a full range of comprehensive and professional Human Resources advice and support services to stakeholders within the Trust.

The successful postholder will support managers in achieving their operational objectives through the fair and effective management of their employees and reducing corporate liabilities through effective risk management.

The postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues in the HR Operational Team, HR Business Partners and with managers across the Trust to deliver and maintain HR services across the organisation whilst ensuring that workloads and competing priorities are managed effectively.

Main duties of the job

• Provide autonomous, professional HR advice on complex employee relations matters including sickness absence, attendance, disciplinary, grievance, bullying and harassment, and capability issues.
• Lead and conduct complex investigations, offering coaching and support to investigators/managers throughout the process.
• Deliver a range of employee relations services, including interpreting employment legislation, supporting change management, and contributing to organisational development.
• Supervise, support and develop HR Officers, acting as their day-to-day point of escalation.
• Deputise for HR Business Partners at Directorate Board Meetings and other forums, maintaining expert knowledge of HR policy, best practice and legislation.
• Support HR Business Partners with project areas such as EDI, workforce information, policy development and wellbeing, and lead ad-hoc HR initiatives.
• Coordinate operational HR workload, contribute to team development, and oversee the organisation of hearings, participating in panels when required.
• Design and deliver HR training, maintain local HR information systems, produce reports, and ensure compliance with equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

About us

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East.

At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you're looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients' lives, HDFT could be the place for you!

We offer colleagues:

• A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
• Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
• Employee Support and wellbeing - we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service.

Please note:

• Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
• Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application.
• Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information about the role. If you have any questions, please contact us to discuss.

Person Specification

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent), with CIPD membership
• Educated to degree level in HR or a related field or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.
• Relevant HR experience including: Advising on terms and conditions of employment, application of policies and procedures, absence management, disciplinary, grievance, capability and organisational change.
• Experience of managing HR related projects
• High level knowledge of employment legislation
• Master's Degree - HR/Management related
• Accredited Workplace Mediation Qualification
• NHS/Public Sector Experience
• Experience of Managing/Supervising Staff
• Experience of consultation and working in partnership with Trade Unions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year, per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours