HR Consultant

Job Title - HR Consultant

Reporting To - Director of HR and Operations

Purpose of Role
To act as a senior HR advisor and trusted consultant to a diverse portfolio of clients, delivering expert HR guidance and solutions. You will support the broader team with complex casework, and driving client relationships forward to ensure service excellence and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Client-Facing HR Consultancy
Serve as the primary contact for a range of client organisations, offering strategic and practical HR advice tailored to their industry, size, and operational needs.
Build strong, proactive relationships with client stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on all aspects of HR management.
Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, and absence management.
Oversee and support formal HR processes including investigations, hearings, appeals, and consultations (e.g. redundancy, TUPE).
Partner with clients to develop and implement effective workforce strategies covering resourcing, succession planning, and employee engagement.
Maintain awareness of legislative changes and ensure client policies and practices remain legally compliant and aligned with best practice including communicating with clients as necessary.

Policy, Compliance & Reporting
Support the review, drafting, and implementation of employment policies and procedures in line with current legislation and client requirements.
Monitor client compliance with HR best practices, identifying risks and recommending improvements.
Produce high-quality management information and reporting for client board or senior leadership review.

Recruitment & Workforce Planning
Lead and oversee recruitment campaigns on behalf of clients, providing guidance on job design, attraction strategies, interviewing, and selection processes where necessary.
Support clients with onboarding frameworks, probation reviews, and appraisal processes.

Operational Support & Team Contribution
Support and mentor junior team members, contributing to the upskilling of the wider consultancy team.
Act as a senior support to the Director of HR and Operations, contributing to project work, operational planning, and business development initiatives.
Be flexible in supporting wider consultancy or business functions as required, which may include areas such payroll support or office operations.

Person Specification

Skills & Experience
Proven generalist HR experience in an advisory or consultancy role, with strong employee relations knowledge.
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering training and development content to client or internal stakeholders.
Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
Confident working with senior stakeholders and providing advice across all levels of an organisation.
Experience working across a variety of sectors, including retail or SME environments, is advantageous.

Attributes
Commercially aware with the ability to adapt HR solutions to suit varied client environments.
Highly organised and detail-oriented with excellent administrative discipline.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple clients and priorities simultaneously.
Collaborative team player who thrives in a dynamic consultancy environment.

Qualifications
CIPD Level 5 (minimum) or working towards; Level 7 desirable.
Evidence of continued professional development in HR or training-related disciplines.

Special Conditions
Regular UK travel to client sites is required; candidates must have a full UK driving licence and access to their own vehicle.
Flexibility to work outside core hours may be necessary to accommodate client needs, particularly those in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Benefits
22 days leave, plus birthday day off, plus Bank Holidays
On site, free parking
Company Pension
Regular Team Building events
Additional Leave