Job Description:
At South West Water, we believe that the strongest businesses are built on solid, stable foundations — with a vision and culture that give them the freedom to change, improve, and innovate. We’re proud to provide reliable, efficient, and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for the South West. Our ambitions include reaching net-zero by 2030 and partnering with Wildlife Trusts, National Parks, and local organizations to ensure a sustainable future. Join our diverse team where opportunities flow and new ideas are welcomed: #JustAddWater.
We are currently seeking a Lead People Services Advisor to join our People team in Exeter. This permanent, full-time position offers a competitive salary of £35,000 - £40,000 per annum plus excellent benefits.
About the role:
The Lead People Services Advisor provides effective advisory services on people matters across all levels of colleagues and leaders within the Pennon Group. Acting as the first point of contact for the People team, this role ensures high-quality service delivery within agreed SLAs, guides leaders, manages employee lifecycle processes, and drives continuous improvement in People Services activities.
What you'll be doing:
1. Advising and coaching leadership to enhance their effectiveness.
2. Challenging the status quo and benchmarking against best practices.
3. Providing insightful data to inform decision-making and proactive solutions.
4. Collaborating with Heads of People and Centres of Expertise to deliver high-value services.
5. Managing HR documentation confidentially, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act and audit requirements.
6. Seeking ways to work that minimize risk and protect the business within policy frameworks.
7. Supporting line managers and the wider People team to address root causes and prevent re-occurrences through coaching and guidance.
8. Proactively resolving issues with practical, people-centered solutions.
9. Supporting HR-led initiatives, restructures, training, and engagement activities.
10. Providing day-to-day HR support and advice to the People Services team.
What we are looking for:
1. Significant experience as a generalist HR practitioner in advisory roles covering the employee lifecycle.
2. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Forms).
3. Strong organizational and planning skills.
4. Ability to manage a high-volume, varied workload with conflicting priorities.
5. Comprehensive understanding of HR principles, including recruitment, disciplinary, grievance, redundancy, TUPE, absence, and performance management.
6. Sound knowledge of UK employment law and current legislation.
7. CIPD Level 5 qualification or working towards it.
8. Additional HR-related qualifications and project management certification are desirable.
What's in it for you:
* Ongoing development and training opportunities for a long-term career.
* Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
* Discretionary bonus, competitive pension, share schemes, health benefits, wellbeing programs, and more.
Closing date for applications: 8th May 2025. Be yourself — we value diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture of belonging. Our core values are:
* Be Rock Solid — Build trust and dependability.
* Be You — Bring your best every day and be authentic.
* Be the Future — Embrace change, drive progress, and own challenges.
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