Job Title: People Advisor
Hours: 30 - 37 hours per week, 52 weeks
(Term Time Only/part time or other flexible working arrangements will be considered)
Location: Bedford but travel is required to clients
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 per annum FTE (Dependant on skills and experience)
Closing date: 10am on 30th June 2026
About Us:
People are at the heart of every successful organisation, but they can also be the source of its biggest challenges. At Horizon HR, we partner with businesses and schools to solve people problems, strengthen leadership and create workplaces where individuals and organisations can thrive. Through practical advice, strategic thinking and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing, we help our clients build stronger teams, better cultures and brighter futures. Based in Bedford, we primarily serve clients in Bedfordshire and surrounding counties. More information about our values is attached in a separate document.
The Opportunity:
Are you currently working within HR and have a passion for excellence? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your skills are valued, and your ideas welcomed? Are you looking to develop quickly and thrive in a busy environment? If you are, join our team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering top-tier HR solutions!
Key Responsibilities:
· Provide expert HR advice and administration, demonstrating a commitment to excellence.
· Effectively manage complex employee relations casework across a diverse client base.
· Cultivate positive and professional relationships with partners, clients, colleagues, and external agencies.
· Regular travel to client sites as needed and attendance at Horizon HR's Head Office in Bedford.
What We're Looking For:
· Enthusiastic and passionate HR professional with a drive for delivering excellence.
· Able to travel to clients to support them on site.
· Strong communication and organisational skills.
· Proven track record of building and maintaining trusting relationships.
Why Join Us?
· Be a key individual in a small, dynamic team of supportive individuals.
· Opportunities for professional growth and development.
· Flexible working arrangements available to suit your needs.
· Make a meaningful impact by providing essential HR support to diverse clients.
· Work in an environment that values excellence and fosters collaboration.
If you're ready to take your HR career to the next level and contribute to a culture of excellence, apply now and become a valued member of our team at Horizon HR!
How to Apply:
As part of our recruitment process, we'd like to get to know the person behind the CV.
Therefore, in addition to sending a CV, please send us a short video (maximum 5 minutes) answering the following three questions:
1. What does "People First" mean to you?
2. Tell us about a time you did the right thing, even when it wasn't the easiest option.
3. Why would you like to join the team at Horizon HR?
We're not looking for perfection or polished production. Simply be yourself and let your personality, values and communication style shine through.
Please email your video submission to [email protected]
Closing Date for receipt of CVs and videos: 10:00am on 30 June 2026
Successful candidates will be invited to the next stage of the recruitment process, which may include an online and/or face-to-face interview, along with relevant assessment activities.
At Horizon HR, we believe great businesses are built by great people. If that resonates with you, we'd love to hear from you.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title People Advisor
Accountable to Lead People Advisor
Purpose of the Job
To deliver excellence in HR advice, administration and customer service across the whole client base. You will maintain the highest possible levels of integrity and confidentiality whilst performing all aspects of the job as well constantly striving for more efficient ways of working to provide the very best client experience.
Main Responsibilities
1. To manage and support a wide range of clients leading, advising and supporting their HR requirements. Liaising with colleagues both internally and client Payroll providers to ensure a seamless HR service.
2. To prepare, amend and update policies and procedures for all clients and standard documentation and templates for supporting client delivery.
3. Respond promptly to a wide range of client enquiries, via telephone, email or other correspondence, relating to HR and administration. This will be provided professionally and accurately.
4. To keep abreast of legislative changes, current trends and best practice and produce advice notes for sharing with our clients and other communications.
5. To deliver accurate and timely advice on employment legislation, best practice and policy and procedures in relation to and in the context of client’s policies and procedures on a range of HR matters including complex employee relations casework, recruitment and selection, remuneration, terms and conditions of service, disciplinary, capability, grievance, redundancy and restructures, TUPE etc.
6. To attend client locations where necessary to attend meetings, hearings, appeals to deliver excellent service while providing advice, guidance and support.
7. To attend online or in person meetings to advise at formal hearings and appeals, up to and including dismissals and attend and provide advice and support at union consultation meetings.
8. To support with the planning and delivery of online or in person training events.
9. Liaise with other partners and external agencies where required.
10. To be responsible for the HR administration services for clients including liaising with client’s payroll providers.
11. To prepare sickness reports and attend sickness review meetings.
12. To keep all file management systems up to date
13. To undertake job evaluations.
Other responsibilities
1. Be compliant with Horizon HR policies and procedures.
2. Provide support for other colleagues when necessary.
3. Maintain high levels of confidentiality and integrity at all times.
4. To promote Horizon HR Ltd wherever possible and identify opportunities for new business.
5. Proactively seek continuous improvement in every aspect of the job role and across the business.
6. Any other duties commensurate with the purpose and grading of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualification – Minimum Level 3 (or equivalent experience)
Full Driving Licence and own transport.
Proven experience in an advisory position within a HR environment which will include advice and support for managers, training, responsibility for issues such as the appointment and dismissal of staff, grievance, disciplinary procedures, absence management, redundancy etc.
Experience of attending hearings up to and including dismissal to advise managers and/or present the case
Able to demonstrate careful attention to detail and ability to check all work for accuracy
Competent in interpreting and providing advice on employment legislation and conditions of service to ensure compliance and best practice.
Competent in establishing good working relationships with a range of clients at all levels.
Ability to quickly gain credibility and trusting relationships with clients.
High level of numeracy skills and ability to deal accurately with manual calculations of a complex nature.
Competency in working within the constraints of predefined employment policies and procedures
Competency in formulating and implementing policy and initiatives
Understanding of, and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Experience of providing creative solutions to complex employment issues within the constraints of regulation and policy.
Highly skilled communicator both verbally and in writing
Confident in use of HR, Payroll software
Ability to use initiative to solve problems and think outside the box
Excellent ICT skills including use of Microsoft office (word, Excel) and ability to quickly learn and use other software systems.
Ability to prioritise and work well under pressure to strict deadlines
Desirable
Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Current membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Previous experience of working in HR in the Local Government and/or Education Sector.
Previous experience of working with Trade Unions.
Previous experience of working in HR in the charitable Sector.
Understanding of terms and conditions of employment within schools and academies
Understanding of Education Legislation
Confident in negotiating with trade union representatives
Confident in planning and delivering presentations
Experience and competence in using CRM systems
Pay: £28,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bedford MK41
