This role is responsible for delivering a professional, consistent and commercially focused HR advisory service across the firm.
Working closely with the Head of HR, the HR Advisor will support managers and employees across the full employee lifecycle, with a particular focus on employee relations, policy guidance and day-to-day operational HR matters. The role will act as a key point of contact for managers, providing practical advice and coaching to support effective people management.
The HR Advisor will work collaboratively with the Recruitment and HR Coordinator, providing guidance and support where appropriate, and contributing to a joined-up HR service across recruitment, onboarding and ongoing employee support.
The role will also support wider HR and people initiatives, including learning and development, trainee support and HR projects, helping to drive continuous improvement and ensure HR activity is aligned with the firm’s objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Employee Relations & Advisory
- Act as a first point of contact for HR queries, providing timely, pragmatic advice to managers and employees
- Manage a range of employee relations casework, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, capability and performance issues
- Support investigations, hearings and outcomes, ensuring consistency and compliance with employment legislation
- Coach and support managers to build confidence in managing people issues effectively
- Promote early resolution and informal approaches where appropriate
- Support the consistent application of HR policies, procedures and best practice across the firm.
HR Operations and Lifecycle Management
- Support the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, probation, performance management, contractual changes and offboarding
- Maintain accurate HR records, systems and documentation, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality
- Prepare and issue employee correspondence, including contract variations, family leave documentation and other HR letters
- Support payroll processes where required (e.g. Changes, absence impacts, benefits)
- Contribute to HR reporting, metrics and analysis to support business decision making
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and enhance the employee experience.
Policy, Compliance and Best Practice
- Provide guidance on HR policies and procedures, ensuring consistent application across the firm
- Support the review, development and implementation of policies in line with UK employment law and best practice
- Ensure HR processes align with regulatory and professional standards
- Keep up to date with relevant employment law developments and HR best practice.
- Support managers and employees in understanding HR policies and expectations.
Recruitment and Early Careers Support
- Work closely with the Recruitment and HR Coordinator to support recruitment activity across the firm
- Assist with graduate recruitment processes, including assessment centres and candidate experience
- Provide input into recruitment best practice and selection approaches
- Support onboarding and induction processes to ensure a positive new starter experience
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the firm’s early careers and trainee support processes.
Learning and Development & Trainee Support
- Work with the Technical Team to support the management of the Mercia Learning platform, including:
- monitoring training completion
- supporting CPD tracking and reporting
- ensuring alignment with development requirements
- Partner with QPRT[1] to support trainee development, progression and performance tracking
- Help identify learning needs across the firm and support delivery of development initiatives
- Support the coordination of training activity, including internal and external learning opportunities.
- Contribute to building a culture of continuous learning and professional development
Stakeholder Management
- Build effective working relationships with managers, partners and teams across the firm
- Provide an approachable and professional HR service, balancing employee and business needs
- Support the Head of HR in delivering HR projects and initiatives, including engagement, systems, policy updates and process improvements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes and service delivery
- Provide guidance and support to the Recruitment and HR Coordinator as appropriate
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Proven experience in an HR advisory role, with responsibility for managing employee relations casework
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Part CIPD qualified, with a willingness to continue studies to become fully qualified.
- Experience of advising and coaching managers on people-related matters
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage a varied workload
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information appropriately
Desirable
- Experience within a professional services or accountancy environment
- Exposure to trainee or early careers programmes
- Experience supporting learning and development initiatives or systems
- Experience with HR systems and reporting
- Experience supporting HR projects or process improvement activity
Person Specification:
- Confident and credible communicator, able to build relationships and influence at all levels
- Proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach
- High level of professionalism and discretion
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- Collaborative team player
- Able to balance empathy with sound judgement and commercial awareness
- Comfortable working in a varied role where priorities may change