The Vacancy
Wates Group are looking for an experienced HR Advisor to join our HR team supporting both our Central Services Functions (IT, Finance, etc) and Land and Development business out of our Leatherhead office in Surrey. Reporting to the HR Business Partner, this role provides critical ER support to the business, allowing us to manage and support our people effectively.
HR Advisor – Key Responsibilities
1. Lead and resolve Employee Relations (ER) casework: Handle sickness, disciplinary, grievance, capability and appeal cases, ensuring timely, fair and high‑quality outcomes. Produce all accompanying documentation, including invites, outcome letters and meeting notes.
2. Deliver HR project activity: Support TUPE transfers, restructures and redundancy processes, including preparing ELI data, conducting consultations and liaising with third parties when required.
3. Manage people risk and build manager capability: Identify emerging people risks, provide coaching on HR policies and practices, and design or deliver training and support materials to upskill managers.
4. Ensure compliance and accurate data management: Respond to Subject Access Requests, collating/redacting data appropriately; maintain accurate casework records and produce monthly ER activity reports.
5. Provide insight and contribute to continuous improvement: Analyse ER trends to inform people plans, stay current with legislation and policy changes, and actively contribute to the HR Advisor network by sharing best practice.
Key Behaviours
1. Relationship‑building & collaboration
Builds strong partnerships with managers, colleagues and external stakeholders to drive positive outcomes.
2. Professional judgement & confidentiality: Applies sound judgement in sensitive situations and maintains confidentiality at all times.
3. Proactive problem‑solving: Anticipates risks, identifies improvement opportunities and takes initiative to create practical solutions.
4. Continuous learning & adaptability: Keeps knowledge up to date, adapts to changing priorities and contributes to consistent, high‑quality HR practice.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is fast paced, challenging, yet rewarding role, with a primary focus to provide comprehensive and professional HR advice, guidance and support to managers and employees on a full range of HR transactional activities.
We are looking for you to already be working in a similar role and environment with experience in providing both remote and face to face advice, guidance and direction to employees and managers.
To be successful in the role you will be an effective communicator, able to build relationships across the business to promote and encourage the integration of HR policies, procedures, and best practice. You will also have the confidence and proven experience in taking the lead on projects such as TUPE and other employee relations matters, and ideally by CIPD Level 5 qualified or currently completing this
This role will be carried out through a combination of working out of our Leatherhead office and remote working.
WHAT WE OFFER
1. Competitive salary
2. Flexible working
3. Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) / car allowance.
4. Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays
5. Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.
6. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity/partner leave.
Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.
Work for Wates
Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.
We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:
Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in, and treated with care.
We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer. We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.
Awards
BEST PROJECT
Inside Housing Development Awards
WINNER
2022 Construction News Awards Winner
GOLD AWARD
Investors in People 2022
GOLD AWARD
Considerate Constructors Schemes (CCS) National Site Awards
TOP 50 EMPLOYERS
2022 Top 50 Employers for Women
WINNER
2022 Working Families Best Practice Awards