People Advisor (12 month FTC)
Location: Bournemouth or Burton upon Trent
Reference: HOB1212414 | Closing Date: 29/06/2026 23:59
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Holiday: 33 days including public holidays; Birthday Day Off
Discount: 40% colleague discount in stores
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week; core hours 10:00–15:00 Monday–Friday with flexible start and finish. Hybrid model: 3 days in office, 2 days from home.
Role Purpose
Working as part of the People Shared Services Team, the People Advisor provides timely, consistent and commercially focused HR advice to managers and colleagues across the organisation. The role is responsible for delivering a high‑quality, centralised service, supporting the full colleague lifecycle and ensuring compliance, accuracy and a positive colleague experience.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
- Employee Relations & Advice
- Provide professional, pragmatic HR advice to managers on a full range of people matters, including:
- Absence management
- Performance management
- Disciplinary and grievance processes
- Ensure all advice is aligned to employment legislation, company policy and best practice
- Support the resolution of ER cases, escalating complex issues where appropriate
- Maintain accurate and compliant case records
- Shared Service Delivery
- Act as a key point of contact for HR queries via centralised channels (e.g. inbox, ticketing system)
- Deliver advice and support in line with service level agreements (SLAs) and quality standards
- Provide consistent, clear, and customer‑focused responses
- Ensure queries are managed through to resolution to deliver a seamless colleague experience
- HR Administration & Systems
- Produce accurate HR documentation (e.g. letters, contracts, formal correspondence)
- Maintain and update HR systems, ensuring data accuracy and compliance
- Support audit requirements and ensure appropriate record‑keeping
- Manage high‑volume transactional activity efficiently
- Policy, Compliance & Governance
- Support the implementation and communication of HR policies and procedures
- Ensure consistent application of policies across the business
- Identify and mitigate risk by ensuring legal compliance
- Contribute to continuous improvement of policies and processes
- Learning & Capability Building
- Support the development of management capability in handling people matters
- Work with the wider People Team to identify training needs and solutions
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and ways of working
- Contribute to shared services optimisation, including standardisation and automation
- Support HR projects and initiatives as required
- Engagement & People Initiatives
- Support initiatives that enhance employee engagement and experience
- Contribute to creating a consistent and positive People service across all locations
Essential
- Previous HR Advisory experience in a fast‑paced environment
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law
- Experience handling a range of ER cases
- Ability to manage a high‑volume workload with competing priorities
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Desirable
- Experience working in a shared services or centralised HR model
- CIPD Level 3 or 5 (or working towards)
- Experience using HR systems / case management tools
Behaviours & Approach
- Customer‑focused and solutions‑oriented
- Resilient and able to work under pressure
- Collaborative and team‑oriented
- Drives consistency and continuous improvement
- Maintains professionalism, discretion, and integrity
Benefits
- 33 days holiday including public holidays pro rata; plus a day off for your birthday
- Access to a personal pension scheme with 4% contribution matched by us
- Option to join Hobbycraft pension scheme offering double life insurance
- 40% colleague discount
- Employee Assistance Programme including financial advice and up to 6 counselling sessions for you and your family
- Cycle2Work scheme
- Discounted gym membership
- Fundraising events for our charity partners and an annual charity volunteer day
- Vouchers for free eye tests for VDU users
- Access to a range of high‑street discounts
- Access to a Health Cash Plan
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay
Equal Opportunity & Disability Support
We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at recruitment@hobbycraft.co.uk to let us know what adjustments you may need.
Hobbycraft is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal and fair treatment for all colleagues or potential colleagues irrespective of race, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origins, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, marital or family status.
