Location: Dunstable Campus with travel across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire
Hours: Full Time – 37 hours per week
Department: Human Resources
Reporting to: HR Manager
Interview: Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 16th March
Shape how people management works across a growing organisation
The Bedford College Group is seeking an experienced Senior Human Resources Advisor who wants to play an active role in strengthening people management practice across a large and diverse organisation.
This role offers the opportunity to work proactively with managers and leaders, supporting effective decision-making, resolving complex workforce challenges, and helping create positive working environments where staff and students can succeed.
This position goes beyond transactional HR support. The successful post-holder will act as a trusted partner to managers, supporting early intervention, improving management capability, and contributing to a consistent and values-led people experience across the Group.
The Role
Working as part of a collaborative HR team, the Senior Human Resources Advisor will partner with managers across curriculum and professional service areas to support effective workforce management and organisational performance.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Working proactively with managers to address attendance, performance, conduct and employee relations matters at an early stage
2. Leading complex employee relations cases through to resolution, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes
3. Coaching and supporting managers to build confidence and ownership in people management
4. Providing professional advice and constructive challenge aligned to employment legislation and organisational policy
5. Identifying workforce trends and risks and supporting preventative interventions
6. Supporting organisational change activity including restructures and service developments
7. Contributing to HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives
8. Supporting delivery of a consistent and high-quality HR service across all campuses
9. Deputising for the HR Manager where required
About You
You will be an experienced HR professional who enjoys working closely with operational leaders and influencing positive outcomes.
You will demonstrate:
10. Strong experience managing employee relations casework within a busy HR environment
11. Confidence advising, influencing and constructively challenging managers
12. Excellent working knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
13. A proactive and solutions-focused approach
14. Experience supporting managers through complex or sensitive people matters
15. Strong interpersonal and communication skills
16. Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced environment
Applicants should hold CIPD Level 5.
Experience within education or unionised environments is desirable but not essential.
Why Join The Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group is one of the largest employers and education providers in the region, supporting thousands of learners each year across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Joining our HR team provides the opportunity to:
17. Influence people management practice across a large organisation
18. Work within a supportive and forward-looking People function
19. Gain exposure to varied and meaningful HR challenges
20. Develop professionally within a collaborative environment
21. Contribute to an organisation that positively impacts local communities through education
Our Values
The Bedford College Group operates in line with our VISION values:
Valuing Teamwork
Improving Continuously
Student-Centred
Inclusive
Open and Caring
Nurturing Education Excellence
Safeguarding our Students
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group's policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.
Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.