Human Resources Advisor

About the Company

Improve International was established in 1998 by a group of veterinary surgeons from across the UK. We run Continuous Professional Development training from veterinary professionals to help develop the skills and knowledge required in practice. Our programmes utilise a combination of review lectures, case-based discussion and, where applicable, hands-on practical sessions. Within Improve we also have the function of ‘The International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS)’. This function is dedicated to providing veterinary surgeons, nurses and technicians with high quality, achievable qualifications that are recognised internationally. We are an international organisation with offices in the UK and Portugal.

About the Role

Our People team operates as a centralised global function supporting approximately 250 employees across seven countries. The People & Culture Advisor – UK will act as the primary day-to-day People contact for the UK, supporting managers and employees across the full employee lifecycle while ensuring consistent, compliant and effective People practices.

The role will provide practical advice on employee relations, performance, absence, family leave and organisational change, while coordinating key UK People processes including payroll, benefits, recruitment, employee data and HR systems. Working closely with the Global Head of People & Culture, the postholder will manage routine and moderately complex employee matters independently, escalating higher-risk cases where appropriate.

The role will also support the integration of newly acquired businesses. Previous exposure to M&A, business integrations and/or TUPE would therefore be particularly valuable.

This role is suited to a proactive HR professional with good UK employment-law foundations who is ready to develop greater ownership and advisory responsibility within a fast-paced, growing international organisation.

Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Manager Advice:

• Act as the first point of contact for UK managers and employees on day-to-day People matters.
• Advise managers on absence, performance, capability, conduct, probation, flexible working, family leave and other employee relations matters.
• Manage routine and moderately complex employee relations cases, ensuring fair, consistent and well-documented processes.
• Coach managers through employee meetings and People processes, escalating higher-risk matters where appropriate.
• Prepare relevant employee correspondence and case documentation.

Employee Lifecycle:

• Oversee the UK employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to changes in employment and exit.
• Ensure employment contracts, changes to terms and other employee documentation are accurate and issued appropriately.
• Support probation, internal moves, promotions, family leave and other employee lifecycle events.
• Work with managers to deliver effective onboarding and offboarding and identify opportunities to improve the employee experience.

UK Payroll & Benefits:

• Coordinate monthly UK payroll inputs and changes, ensuring accuracy, approvals and timely submission.
• Review payroll outputs, investigate exceptions and liaise with the external payroll provider.
• Maintain appropriate payroll controls and documentation.
• Act as a key contact for UK employee benefits and contribute to periodic reviews of benefits and market practice.

Recruitment & Workforce Support:

• Support UK recruitment from vacancy approval through to offer and onboarding.
• Work with hiring managers to clarify role profiles and support effective selection processes.
• Coordinate pre-employment requirements with relevant internal and external partners.
• Support workforce changes arising from business growth, restructuring and acquisitions.

Organisational Change, M&A & TUPE:

• Support People activity relating to acquisitions, integrations, organisational change and restructuring.
• Assist with People due diligence, employee data, documentation and integration planning.
• Support TUPE and consultation processes where applicable, working with the Global Head of People & Culture and external advisers.
• Support the integration of acquired employees into People processes, systems, payroll and benefits.

HR Systems, Data, Compliance & Continuous Improvement:

• Maintain accurate and confidential UK employee data across HR systems.
• Produce and interpret routine UK People information, including absence, turnover, headcount and employee relations data.
• Identify opportunities to simplify and improve People processes and contribute to wider People projects.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR practice.
• Identify legislative developments or employment risks that may require changes to company practice.
• Support the review and implementation of UK HR policies, guidance and processes.
• Work with external employment-law, payroll and benefits advisers where specialist support is required.
• Contribute to broader People projects and change initiatives.

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications:

• CIPD qualification or working towards a relevant CIPD qualification would be advantageous.
• Equivalent practical HR experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• Previous experience in an HR Advisor, HR Generalist or similar UK HR role.
• Good practical understanding of UK employment law and HR practice.
• Experience advising managers and supporting employee relations matters.
• Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance or capability cases.
• Experience across the employee lifecycle from recruitment/onboarding through to exit.
• Strong written communication skills, including preparing employee correspondence and documentation.
• Comfortable working with HR systems, employee data and reporting.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Sound judgement and the ability to recognise when issues require escalation.
• Confident working with managers and employees at different levels.
• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of the wider business context.

Highly valued:

• Previous exposure to M&A, business integration and/or TUPE.
• Experience supporting redundancy or organisational-change processes.
• Experience working with an outsourced payroll provider.
• Experience with UK employee benefits.
• Experience within an international or multi-entity organisation.
• Experience supporting recruitment and selection.

Personal attributes/characteristics

• Pragmatic, approachable and credible.
• Comfortable advising and constructively challenging managers.
• Calm and professional when dealing with sensitive matters.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Discreet and professional in handling confidential information.
• Proactive and willing to take ownership.
• Able to balance employee experience with business requirements.
• Curious, adaptable and willing to learn.
• Practical problem-solver with sound judgement.
• Collaborative and comfortable working across cultures and locations.

Benefits

• Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus public holidays plus 1 additional day, 1 additional day after 3 years' service and another additional day after 10 years' service
• Additional Leave: Our offices close annually for the afternoon on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve globally. All employees are provided with company paid leave for these periods.
• Pension: Employee 4% and Employer 5% The employer contribution increases with a step change % of 1% increase every 3 years to a max of 10%
• Discretionary Annual Bonus (based on company and personal performance)
• Hybrid working available
• Eye care voucher for eye testing UK.
• Maternity/Adoption Leave: 16 weeks company maternity leave/pay
• Paternity/Adoption leave
• Electric Car Scheme: UK Salary Sacrifice
• Employee Assistance Programme - available 24/7 phone line
• Refer a friend programme
• Shopping discount portal
• Bring your dog to work
• Free tea and coffee
• Parking