Group HR Advisor

Purpose of the Role
The Group HR Advisor delivers high-quality, operational HR support across the full employee lifecycle. This role blends hands-on HR administration with proactive advisory support, acting as a trusted first point of contact for both managers and employees.
You will provide practical, solutions-focused guidance on a broad range of people matters, including employee relations, policy interpretation, absence management, and recruitment. The role requires sound judgement, confidence in applying HR best practice, and a strong commitment to consistency and compliance.
As a key member of the HR team, you will contribute to strengthening people practices, enhancing the employee experience, and supporting a positive, aligned organisational culture.
Reporting Line
Reporting to: HR Director
Location
* Basildon
* Travel to other sites as required
Key Responsibilities1. Recruitment & Onboarding
Partner with hiring managers to support workforce planning, job scoping, and recruitment activity
Coordinate end-to-end recruitment processes including advertising, screening, and interviews
Ensure a professional and engaging candidate experience throughout the hiring journey
Lead onboarding processes, including new starter inductions
Liaise with recruitment agencies and preferred suppliers
Monitor agency performance and recruitment costs
Maintain accurate recruitment records and reporting
Identify opportunities to improve recruitment and selection processes
2. Employee Relations & Policy Support
Provide timely, practical HR advice to managers and employees on policies, procedures, and people matters
Support employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, and absence management
Assist with investigations, minute-taking, outcome documentation, and case tracking
Escalate complex or high-risk cases to the HR Director as appropriate
Promote fair and consistent application of policies across the organisation
Support early intervention approaches to performance and wellbeing concerns
3. HR Operations & Compliance
Manage employee lifecycle administration (starters, leavers, changes) with accuracy and efficiency
Maintain and update HR systems (People HR) ensuring data integrity and compliance
Produce and analyse HR metrics (e.g. absence, turnover, engagement trends)
Support internal audits and compliance requirements
Ensure all HR practices align with UK employment legislation and company standards
4. Culture & Engagement
Support delivery and analysis of the annual Employee Engagement Survey
Work with stakeholders to implement actionable engagement initiatives
Promote company values, behaviours, and a positive working environment
Contribute to initiatives that enhance inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement
5. HR Projects & Continuous Improvement
Support the development and review of HR policies and procedures
Contribute to HR projects and cross-site initiatives
Assist with HR communications, briefings, and guidance materials
Act as an HR representative during audits or external reviews
Identify and implement opportunities to improve HR processes and service delivery
People Management & Support
Guide and support managers in applying performance, development, and attendance processes
Promote consistency, fairness, and accountability in people management practices
Support development of HR resources, templates, and toolkits to enhance management capability
Act as a role model for professional, respectful, and values-driven behaviours
Relationship Management
Build strong, trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation
Maintain effective communication with Trade Union representatives
Collaborate across departments and sites to support a unified culture
Approach all interactions with professionalism, credibility, and a solutions-focused mindset
Self-Management
Operate with integrity, discretion, and strict confidentiality
Proactively manage workload, priorities, and deadlines
Demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
Maintain up-to-date HR knowledge through continuous learning and external benchmarking
Take initiative in identifying improvements and contributing to team effectiveness
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in an HR Advisor, HR Coordinator, or HR Generalist role (ideally within an SME or multi-site environment)
* CIPD qualified, or working towards CIPD Level 5, or equivalent practical experience
* Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
* Confident communicator with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels
* Experience using HR systems (People HR or similar) and Microsoft Office tools
* High level of professionalism when handling sensitive and confidential matters
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
* Resilient, proactive, and adaptable with a positive approach
* Fluent in English; additional language skills (e.g. Polish) are advantageous
Why Join Us?
* Opportunity to shape and influence HR practices across a growing organisation
* Exposure to a wide range of HR activities and projects
* Collaborative and supportive team environment
* Commitment to employee development and continuous improvement
Benefits:
* Private medical insurance
* Company pension
* Death in service benefit
* Employee retail discounts
* Life insurance
* Free on-site parking
* Canteen facilities
* You will receive 33 days holiday per year which includes a Christmas closure
* You’ll have ample opportunities to grow and develop within the team, while working in a supportive and collaborative environment