Senior HR Advisor (Maternity Contract)

Senior HR Advisor (Fixed-Term Contract)

Location: Southampton (Hybrid)
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract
Sector: Professional Services

A well-established professional services organisation is seeking an experienced Senior HR Advisor to join its People team on a fixed-term basis in Southampton.

This is a broad and varied role offering the opportunity to act as a trusted advisor across the business, providing high-quality HR support while taking ownership of complex employee relations matters, policy development, onboarding, professional development programmes, and employee wellbeing initiatives.

Working closely with leaders, managers and employees, you'll play a key role in ensuring a positive employee experience while delivering practical, commercially focused HR solutions in a regulated and professional environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Advisory

\n
• \n

  Act as a key point of contact for managers and employees, providing expert HR advice and guidance.

\n
• \n

  Lead and manage a wide range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary cases, grievances. performance management, capability concerns, sickness absence and flexible working requests

\n
• \n

  Maintain accurate case records and ensure timely progression and resolution of all matters.

\n
• \n

  Provide guidance and support on employee wellbeing and workplace issues.

\n

Policy & Employment Law

\n
• \n

  Serve as a subject matter expert on employment law and HR best practice.

\n
• \n

  Review, update and draft HR policies, procedures and guidance documentation.

\n
• \n

  Interpret legislative changes and recommend updates to ensure compliance and best practice.

\n

Talent & Employee Lifecycle

\n
• \n

  Lead and manage onboarding and probation processes.

\n
• \n

  Oversee employee exits, including conducting and analysing exit interviews.

\n
• \n

  Support workforce planning and broader people initiatives across the business.

\n

Professional Development & Training

\n
• \n

  Manage professional qualification and development programmes within the organisation.

\n
• \n

  Liaise with professional bodies and external providers to ensure awareness of evolving qualification requirements.

\n
• \n

  Coordinate training delivery, ensuring programmes are delivered effectively and cost-efficiently.

\n
• \n

  Design and deliver HR and people-related training where required.

\n

Wellbeing, Inclusion & Engagement

\n
• \n

  Support and promote employee wellbeing initiatives.

\n
• \n

  Contribute to diversity, equity and inclusion programmes and events.

\n
• \n

  Partner with colleagues across the business to deliver engagement and culture initiatives.

\n
• \n

  Support wider People team projects focused on continuous improvement and employee experience.

\n

Essential Experience

\n
• \n

  CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent practical experience.

\n
• \n

  Previous experience in a Senior HR Advisor, HR Generalist or Employee Relations-focused role.

\n
• \n

  Proven ability to manage complex employee relations cases independently from start to finish.

\n
• \n

  Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law.

\n
• \n

  Experience drafting policies, guidance documents and people-related communications.

\n
• \n

  Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.

\n
• \n

  Strong communication and influencing capability.

\n
• \n

  Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

\n
• \n

  Experience designing and delivering training or workshops.

\n
• \n

  A proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.

\n

\n
• \n

  Experience within professional services, legal, financial services or another regulated environment.

\n
• \n

  Exposure to professional qualifications, apprenticeships or training programmes.

\n
• \n

  Experience supporting wellbeing, inclusion and engagement initiatives.

\n

JBRP1_UKTJ