Senior Human Resources Advisor

This is a full-time, permanent Grade 9 position, salary up to £60,492.

Interview Dates- 17/19-November

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Kingston University's HR Advice & Reward team as a Senior HR Advisor, contributing to the University's people agenda through expert HR advice, policy development and the delivery of strategic HR projects.

You will provide pragmatic, solutions-focused advice to managers and senior leaders on complex people matters, using your employment law expertise and professional judgement to balance organisational risk, employee experience and business objectives.

You will lead and contribute to strategic HR projects and organisational change initiatives, driving improvements to HR services, workforce practices and employee experience. You will also take ownership of HR policy development and review, ensuring policies remain legally compliant, reflect best practice and support an inclusive, high-performing culture.

You will lead on complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance and sickness absence cases, as well as supporting ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunal processes. Using HR data and insights, you will identify trends, address underlying issues and develop proactive solutions that improve organisational effectiveness.

Working collaboratively with stakeholders across faculties and professional services, you will strengthen management capability, influence decision-making and support the continuous improvement of HR services. As a senior member of the team, you will also provide guidance to HR colleagues and act as an escalation point for complex issues.

The Person

You will be an experienced HR professional with a strong track record of advising on complex employee relations and employment law matters, alongside experience of leading HR projects, developing or reviewing policies and supporting organisational change.

You will have excellent employment law and HR knowledge, supported by a relevant CIPD, employment law or equivalent qualification, and the ability to translate legislation and organisational requirements into practical, effective solutions.

You will be confident influencing senior stakeholders, managing competing priorities and using HR data to identify trends, evaluate initiatives and inform evidence-based decisions. Excellent communication, analytical and relationship-building skills are essential, alongside a proactive, customer-focused approach, sound judgement and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

You will also demonstrate the ability to support and develop colleagues, remain resilient when managing challenging situations and drive continuous improvement. Higher Education experience is welcomed, but relevant experience in other large or complex organisations will also be considered.

Directorate/Function

The Human Resources Directorate provides the people strategy, expertise and infrastructure that enables Kingston University to achieve its ambitions.

You will join our experienced HR Advice & Reward team, working alongside HR colleagues across the University to provide both responsive operational support and proactive, strategic people advice.

We work in partnership with academic faculties and professional services to help managers get the best from their people, tackle challenges effectively and create an environment in which our staff can perform, develop and contribute to the University's success.

As a Senior HR Advisor, you will play an important role in developing this partnership, helping us move beyond simply responding to individual HR issues towards earlier intervention, stronger management capability and continuous improvement in our HR service.

Why Join us?

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• 35 days annual leave ( Full time equivalent)
• Generous pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre
• Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University
• Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Season ticket loans up to £10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money

Kingston Company values:

Innovative: To apply new methods or ideas to facilitate progress

Inclusive: To value the diversity of students and staff, treating them respectfully

Enterprising: To recognise and act on opportunities

Ambitious: To pursue excellence for oneself, the University, and our communities

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.