Job Description

HR Senior People Advisor (Maternity cover)

Department: Central Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Chatham

Fixed Term, Maternity Cover: Between 12-15 months.
As a Senior People Advisor, you will provide high quality HR advice, guidance, and support to managers and employees across the business. Acting as a trusted partner, you will help ensure best practice is consistently applied in line with employment law, firm policies, and our company values. This role plays a key part in fostering a high performing, inclusive, and engaged culture through effective employee relations support, coaching, and the delivery of key HR initiatives. You will also work closely with our People Business Partners to deliver a seamless and proactive HR service to the firm.

About the role

• Provide clear HR advice and guidance to managers and employees, ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures across the firm
• Support managers with a range of ER cases, including disciplinary, grievance, probation, and performance, attending hearings and conducting investigations as required
• Work with HR Operations to identify opportunities for process improvement and automation across the employee lifecycle
• Support People Business Partners with casework, delivery of HR process training, and preparation of management information
• Coordinate short and long term sickness cases, including Occupational Health referrals, case reviews, and hearing support
• Produce and review people data to identify trends and support retention, including insights from exit interviews and onboarding
• Support change management activity, attending meetings and advising on contractual matters as required
• Contribute to the development and updating of HR policies, processes, and supporting guidance
• Champion the People Services function and promote the firm’s culture and values in all interactions
• Promote reward and benefits offerings by educating employees and sharing key information
• Support firmwide initiatives aimed at fostering equal opportunities and building a diverse workforce

What we're looking for

• Extensive experience as an ER generalist within a comparable environment
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and support ER meetings, including confident note taking and providing informed, on the spot advice
• Willingness and flexibility to travel across our offices to support casework when required
• Proven capability in delivering pragmatic, commercially focused ER solutions aligned to business needs
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and awareness of emerging external best practice trends
• Clear understanding of the commercial impact of ER issues and how business priorities influence people matters
• Experience engaging with and influencing senior stakeholders effectively
• CIPD qualified or possessing equivalent experience is desirable

What we can offer

• Financial wellbeing – competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash Plan, Income Protection Scheme and Perks at Work discounts and rewards.
• Leave – 25.5 days plus bank holidays, holiday buying Mental wellbeing – hybrid working (3 days in the office/2 from home) and flexible working policies, Employee Assistance Programme and counselling
• Physical wellbeing –Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance and an annual flu jab.
• Recognition – monthly nominations for financial awards based on culture and values
• Development – we offer continuous support and development with clear mapped progression routes across the business, as well as access to internal and external training courses
• Diversity, inclusion and belonging – we operate several family-friendly policies and take proactive steps to create an inclusive environment
• ESG – give as you earn, 1 extra day off each year to take up volunteering opportunities. Opportunities to support our commitment to charitable causes
• Travel – other optional benefits include: cycle to work scheme, interest-free season ticket loan (London only), interest-free car/motorbike loan

At Kreston Reeves, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all. We understand that everyone has unique needs, and we strive to accommodate them through reasonable adjustments. Whether it's adapting work environments, providing assistive technologies, or modifying processes, we are dedicated to supporting our employees in realising their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in our recruitment process or thrive in your role, please don't hesitate to reach out by emailing recruitment@krestonreeves.com Please remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request. Your success is important to us, and we're here to ensure a supportive and inclusive experience for all.