Job Summary
We are looking for a passionate, people focused HR professional to join Willen Hospice as our HR Advisor. This is a varied, hands‑on role within our People Services team.
About Us
Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care in the Milton Keynes area. We offer round‑the‑clock, expert care to local patients with a life‑limiting illness, both in their own homes and in our In‑Patient Unit. Our passionate staff and volunteers make sure our care is personalised to each patient’s needs and supports their loved ones too. We have a thriving Therapeutic & Wellbeing service providing counselling, physiotherapy, activity groups and more, and a specialist Lymphoedema service. As a registered charity, we raise vital funds through our dedicated Business Development team and our growing portfolio of high street and online shops, to ensure our care stays free of charge.
Job Responsibilities
* Provide expert advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters, including absence, disciplinary, grievance, and capability, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
* Manage end‑to‑end recruitment and onboarding, utilising cost‑effective and inclusive solutions that attract diverse talent.
* Use data, insight and HR systems to maintain accurate records, generate management information and support evidence‑based decision making.
* Process payroll information accurately and on time, including mid‑year salary reviews and sick pay calculations.
* Champion people initiatives across Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI), wellbeing and employee engagement.
* Contribute to the review and update of HR policies, procedures and practices in line with current employment legislation.
* Support the HoPS and HRBP in overseeing recruitment and selection activity for paid roles, utilizing cost‑effective and creative solutions that attract diverse talent and reflect the Hospice’s commitment to inclusion.
* Collaborate with the HR Administrator to manage the full recruitment and onboarding process, ensuring all activity is handled professionally and in a timely manner, and participate in interviews as required.
* Lead induction of new starters, providing face‑to‑face induction visits, ensuring a warm welcome and access to mandatory training, and handling early issues and probationary reviews.
* Provide professional advice and guidance to managers on a wide range of employee relations matters, including absence management, disciplinary, grievance, and capability issues, and collaborate with the HoPS and HRBP on more complex or high‑risk cases.
* Process contractual variations, maintain accurate records in PERCI and associated spreadsheets, and provide timely information for payroll, including sick pay calculations and ad‑hoc staff claims.
* Support and champion organisation‑wide people initiatives that foster an inclusive, healthy, and high‑performing culture, including DEI, wellbeing, and employee and volunteer engagement.
* Ensure all processes are delivered on time, providing up‑to‑date and accurate information via the internet and intranet for employees and prospects.
* Under direction of the HoPS or HRBP, contribute to the review and update of people policies, procedures and practices, ensuring compliance with current legislation, CQC/CHKS requirements, and HR best practice.
* Actively support wider HR workstreams, including workforce planning and agreed project work, ensuring operational delivery is timely and of high quality.
* Lead or collaborate on relevant projects as appropriate.
Person Specification
Communication and Planning
* Daily communication with all levels of staff, volunteers and applicants. Tact, empathy and influencing skills required; builds trust and confidence of key stakeholders and colleagues.
* Good command of English with strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
* Excellent organisational skills to manage diverse workload and coordinate the administration team, planning up to 6‑12 months ahead while reacting to changing priorities.
Experience
* Minimum of 3 years experience in a generalist HR advisory role; CIPD qualified to level 5 or working towards this, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
* Solid employment law knowledge; practical experience across recruitment, employee relations, operational HR, and GDPR.
* Experience using an HR database and supporting payroll processes.
* Experience contributing to DEI initiatives or equality impact assessments desirable.
* Experience working with volunteers advantageous; previous experience of developing and delivering training desirable.
Qualifications
* CIPD qualified to level 5 or working towards this, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
Job Details
Salary: £31,000 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share
Location: Milton Road, Willen Village, Milton Keynes, MK15 9AB, United Kingdom
Reference number: B0365-26-0007
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