HR Advisor

Interim HR Advisor

Location: Midlands (Hybrid)

Contract: 6 - 12 Months Fixed-Term contract

Salary: £41,064-£48,822

About the Role

We are working with a well-established Midlands-based university seeking an experienced Interim HR Advisor to join the People team for an initial six-month contract.

This is a hands-on generalist HR role with a strong focus on Employee Relations, supporting managers across a broad range of complex and sensitive people matters. You will work closely with HR Business Partners and senior stakeholders, providing pragmatic, solutions-focused advice while ensuring compliance with employment legislation, university policies and best practice.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing a varied caseload and building strong relationships across both academic and professional services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied employee relations caseload including disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence, capability and performance matters.
• Provide timely, practical HR advice and guidance to managers across the University.
• Support investigations, hearings and appeals, ensuring all cases are managed fairly and consistently.
• Advise on employment law, HR policy and best practice.
• Coach and support managers to build confidence in handling people matters.
• Assist with organisational change projects, restructures and consultation processes where required.
• Support the delivery of HR initiatives and projects across the wider People function.
• Contribute to policy reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate HR records and case management documentation.
• Build effective working relationships with Trade Union representatives and key stakeholders across the University.

About You

We're looking for an experienced HR professional who can quickly integrate into the team and provide immediate support.

You will have:

• Previous experience as an HR Advisor or Senior HR Advisor.
• Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases independently.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience advising and coaching managers at all levels.
• The ability to prioritise a busy workload and manage competing deadlines.
• A proactive, pragmatic and customer-focused approach.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience). CIPD Level 7 is desirable.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within Higher Education, Public Sector or another complex, unionised environment.
• Experience supporting organisational change and consultation exercises.
• Exposure to HR systems such as iTrent, SuccessFactors, ResourceLink or Workday.

What's on Offer

• Hybrid working.
• Immediate start available.
• Six-month interim contract with the potential for extension.
• Opportunity to work within a collaborative and supportive HR team.
• Exposure to a broad range of complex employee relations matters within a respected Higher Education institution.