Job Title: Senior HR AdvisorHours: 37 per weekLocation: Hereford (school settings/office/remote working)Salary: Hoople Band E £36,759 – £40,161 based on 37 hours per weekContract: PermanentClosing Date: 6th April 2026
Some HR roles sit behind a desk – this one is where decisions get made, conversations matter, and schools need you in the room! We are keen to hear from candidates who can demonstrate the capability to apply their HR expertise in this setting.
What Makes This Role Different
This is not a purely remote advisory role and it is not predictable week to week. You will be out in schools regularly, sometimes at short notice, responding to live issues where your judgement, credibility and calm approach really count. There is an expectation you will be based in the office or on school sites around 2–3 days per week on average. Some weeks will require daily presence in schools or the office to meet customer demand. Other weeks will allow for some home working. The wider HR and payroll teams are always in the office on a Wednesday which enables collaborative working.
The role
You will provide a high-quality HR advisory service across the full employee lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on complex and sensitive casework. This includes acting as the lead HR advisor in formal processes and supporting leaders to make sound, lawful and pragmatic decisions.
Your Work Will Include
- Managing complex HR casework including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, redundancy and TUPE
- Advising and supporting headteachers, governors and senior leaders in high-pressure situations, often on site
- Acting as investigating officer where required, including report writing and recommendations
- Advising on education-specific terms and conditions, policies and statutory frameworks
- Supporting organisational change and consultation processes, including trade union engagement
- Leading the development and review of school HR policies and procedures
- Designing and delivering HR training to schools and other clients
- Building strong, credible relationships that support both excellent service delivery and future business opportunities
You will work largely autonomously, using your professional judgement while being supported by an experienced HR management team.
About You
You are an experienced HR professional who is comfortable operating at pace, under pressure, and in complex environments.
You Will Bring
- Significant experience of managing complex HR casework end to end
- Strong working knowledge of employment law and its practical application
- Confidence advising senior stakeholders and influencing decisions
- Experience working in unionised environments and handling consultations
- The ability to remain calm, professional and decisive in challenging situations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- A flexible, solutions-focused approach to work
Experience working with schools or education settings and knowledge of education-specific frameworks (such as Burgundy Book, Green Book, STPCD, School Staffing Regulations) is highly desirable, but we are also keen to hear from candidates who can demonstrate the capability to apply their HR expertise in this setting. You will be fully CIPD qualified or able to demonstrate equivalent experience and ongoing professional development.
Travel and flexibility
This role requires regular travel to school sites across Herefordshire, sometimes at short notice. You must be able to travel independently for business purposes. Occasional evening work may be required to support customers.
What We Offer
- A varied, role with real impact on schools and communities
- A supportive HR team environment
- Flexible working arrangements that balance business need and home working
- A competitive benefits package including 26 days annual leave rising to 31 after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays (including the option to buy or sell holidays). Aviva pension scheme, cycle to work scheme and access to a rewards platform offering various discounts with retailers and restaurants.
All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered. We welcome applicants whatever their personal characteristics or social identity. All requests for flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments will be considered.
Disability & diversity considerations:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability are part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme;
- Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist are part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant;
- Those who indicate in their supporting statement that they are a Herefordshire care leaver are part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for more details of this role. Applicants must apply online for this vacancy.
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