Job Description
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*TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, PLEASE VISIT THE USP COLLEGE WEBSITE*
Vacancy details
Salary: £27,674 - £28,472 - *Pay Award Decision Pending*
Reference No: SR2015
Location: Cross Campus
Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Contract: Fixed term contract
Job Details
Ready to bring your HR expertise to a dynamic, people-focused college?
We're looking for an exceptionalHR Advisorwho loves variety, thrives under pressure, and wants to make a real impact across the entire employee journey-from wellbeing initiatives, employee relations and performance management to supporting on recruitment, payroll, and strategic reporting. This is a fast-paced, people-focused role where you'll coach managers, champion staff wellbeing, and help shape HR practice across the College.
If you're organised, proactive, and passionate about doing HR brilliantly, this is your chance to step into a role where no two days are the same-and every day matters.
Main Purpose of the Role:
As our HR Advisor, you'll be the first point of contact for all HR queries, providing clear, consistent, and professional advice. No two days are the same - you'll be supporting everything from recruitment and induction to employee relations, HR reporting, and policy improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
In this role, you will:
- Provide expert advice and support to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management, and safeguarding, ensuring compliance with current policies, procedures, and legislation.
- Coach and develop managers across all areas of HR practice, including performance management, appraisals, probation, recruitment, staffing requests, and general people management.
- Manage and prepare accurate HR documentation and administration, including contracts, payroll data, DBS checks, electronic records, and reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead and support key HR processes such as recruitment, induction and onboarding, annual appraisals, staff wellbeing initiatives, and HR policy development.
- Produce timely monthly, quarterly, and annual HR reports and analysis to support decision-making by senior management and external organisations.
- Effectively prioritise and manage a high volume of HR queries, contribute to ad hoc projects, travel as required, and provide flexible support to the wider HR team.
About You:
You will be someone who is confident, solutions-focused, and able to build strong relationships at every level. You'll bring a calm, professional approach to busy workloads and thrive in a collaborative environment.
We're looking for someone who is:
- CIPD Level 3 or equivalent qualification.
- Significant HR Advisor experience in a busy and fast-paced environment.
- Strong understanding of employee relations issues and basic employment law (e.g., TUPE, discrimination, statutory pay).
- Excellent organisation, time management, and prioritisation skills.
- Proven ability to work independently and support senior HR colleagues.
- Strong coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Self-motivated and proactive.
Desirable (but not essential):
- CIPD Level 5 or a relevant degree.
- Experience providing high-level HR administrative support, including payroll.
- Experience reviewing and updating policies and procedures.
- Previous experience working within an education environment.
Why This Role Is Perfect for You:
You'll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking HR team where your ideas, experience, and professional judgement will be valued. You'll play a key role in shaping a positive staff culture and supporting the College's mission to foster an inclusive, safe, and inspiring workplace.
Why choose us?
Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.
What we offer:
- A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn
- Excellent pension provision
- Annual Staff Awards
- CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching
- Free onsite parking
- Staff appreciation days
- Eye care vouchers
- Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant
- Well-being days & activities
- Electric Vehicle Scheme*
- Discounted gym membership
- Hybrid Working available
- Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations
- Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance
* subject to terms & conditions