We’re looking for an experienced HR Consultant to join our HR team in a full‑time, permanent role based in Exeter. Acting as a trusted partner to the business, you’ll play a key role in shaping high‑performing teams, strengthening capability, and embedding consistent people standards that support performance and a positive employee experience.
Working closely with Heads of Department and senior stakeholders, you’ll develop a strong understanding of your client group, including their commercial drivers, people risks and opportunities. You’ll translate business priorities into clear, actionable people plans and take a proactive approach to identifying trends across engagement, retention and performance, intervening early to improve outcomes.
You’ll also work collaboratively with Talent Attraction, Learning & Development and the wider HR team, whilst helping to deliver an integrated and consistent employee experience across the firm. You’ll lead or contribute to HR projects aligned to strategic priorities, support organisational change, and identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working whilst using data and insight to measure impact. Throughout, you’ll handle sensitive and complex matters with professionalism, sound judgement and confidentiality.
You’ll manage a broad range of people matters, including performance management, capability building and employee relations, coaching and supporting managers to lead effectively and embedding consistent expectations of behaviour and professionalism.
Who you are
You’ll have experience in a business partnering or HR consultant role, ideally within a professional services or similar environment, and be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, commercially focused setting. You’re confident working with senior stakeholders, able to influence, challenge constructively and build credible, trusted relationships.
You bring strong employee relations expertise and a practical, forward‑thinking approach to supporting teams through change. With a structured and analytical mindset, you use data to inform decisions, shape effective solutions, and drive continuous improvement. Collaborative and dependable, you’re trusted to work with care, discretion and integrity across the business.
A CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards) is desirable, along with a willingness to undertake occasional travel to other office locations when required.
Our offer
We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work‑life balance.
Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee‑led diversity and inclusion groups.
You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.
We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you.
At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk.
For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kitty Hughes, Talent Attraction Assistant – kr.hughes@ashfords.co.uk.
#J-18808-Ljbffr”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-17”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Ashfords”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__434444635__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=670” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Exeter” } } }We’re looking for an experienced HR Consultant to join our HR team in a full‑time, permanent role based in Exeter. Acting as a trusted partner to the business, you’ll play a key role in shaping high‑performing teams, strengthening capability, and embedding consistent people standards that support performance and a positive employee experience.
Working closely with Heads of Department and senior stakeholders, you’ll develop a strong understanding of your client group, including their commercial drivers, people risks and opportunities. You’ll translate business priorities into clear, actionable people plans and take a proactive approach to identifying trends across engagement, retention and performance, intervening early to improve outcomes.
You’ll also work collaboratively with Talent Attraction, Learning & Development and the wider HR team, whilst helping to deliver an integrated and consistent employee experience across the firm. You’ll lead or contribute to HR projects aligned to strategic priorities, support organisational change, and identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working whilst using data and insight to measure impact. Throughout, you’ll handle sensitive and complex matters with professionalism, sound judgement and confidentiality.
You’ll manage a broad range of people matters, including performance management, capability building and employee relations, coaching and supporting managers to lead effectively and embedding consistent expectations of behaviour and professionalism.
Who you are
You’ll have experience in a business partnering or HR consultant role, ideally within a professional services or similar environment, and be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, commercially focused setting. You’re confident working with senior stakeholders, able to influence, challenge constructively and build credible, trusted relationships.
You bring strong employee relations expertise and a practical, forward‑thinking approach to supporting teams through change. With a structured and analytical mindset, you use data to inform decisions, shape effective solutions, and drive continuous improvement. Collaborative and dependable, you’re trusted to work with care, discretion and integrity across the business.
A CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards) is desirable, along with a willingness to undertake occasional travel to other office locations when required.
Our offer
We know that our people are at the heart of everything we do – and that’s why we’re committed to supporting your wellbeing, growth and work‑life balance.
Beyond our benefits package, you’ll be encouraged, no matter what your role or career level, to get involved in our Responsible Business programme, where you’ll support initiatives such as charity fundraising, environmental causes and our employee‑led diversity and inclusion groups.
You can find out more about our benefits by visiting the Reward & Wellbeing page on our website.
We believe that building a firm with a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and strengthens our teams, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
To support your growth, we offer ongoing training and development opportunities to help you reach your full potential – so even if you don’t feel you match all the requirements of the job role, we’d still love to hear from you.
At Ashfords, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or would like to discuss anything regarding your application, please contact us at talentattraction@ashfords.co.uk.
For an informal and confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Kitty Hughes, Talent Attraction Assistant – kr.hughes@ashfords.co.uk.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…