Location: Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom Dorset Hybrid
Job type: Full Time Permanent
Salary: £37,000 Annum
Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week
Why Join Tops Day Nurseries
At Tops Day Nurseries, we’ve been shaping futures since 1990. As the UK’s largest employee‑owned childcare group, we know that valuing people is the key to success. When you join us, you become more than an employee – you become a co‑owner with a voice, opportunities to grow, and a share in our success.
With 38 nursery sites across the South of England, we provide outstanding early years education and childcare for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. With opportunities for Apprenticeship, Nursery practitioners, Nursery Managers & Casual staff, we are always looking for passionate individuals to join us.
We’re proud to be recognised as a World’s Happiest Workplace 2025 and one of the Top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK (2024).
The Role
We are seeking an exceptional People Advisor to act as a strategic partner across two regions, influencing culture, engagement, and workforce performance. In this role, you will:
* Provide high‑level People advice to senior leaders and managers, navigating complex employee relations, performance management, and organisational change
* Lead strategic workforce initiatives, analysing engagement metrics, identifying trends, and delivering impactful action plans to improve culture, retention, and performance
* Drive manager development and coaching, delivering training, briefings, and guidance to embed consistent, best‑practice People processes
* Champion the company’s values and culture, fostering inclusion, recognition, and ethical practices across all levels
* Contribute to the People Strategy, ensuring regional initiatives align with business goals and support organisational growth
* Take ownership of complex employee relations cases, investigations, and policy interpretation, providing confidence and clarity to leaders and teams
* Collaborate on workforce planning, ensuring skills, resourcing, and succession align with business needs
* Occasional travel across regions; driving licence and use of own car essential
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
* Up to 60% childcare discount at Tops Day Nurseries
* Exclusive discounts & rewards via Blue Light Card and Each Person platform (gyms, cinema, shopping, travel & many more)
* Health & wellbeing support – NHS prescriptions, optical care & dental treatment
* A generous holiday allowance – including your birthday off & a wellbeing day!
As well as many more exciting benefits! You can view the full list on our page or Careers website.
Skills & Qualifications
* Proven strategic HR experience across multiple areas, ideally in multi‑site or regional operations
* Fully knowledgeable in employment law, ACAS guidance, HR policies, and technical HR practices
* Exceptional communication, influencing, and coaching skills, able to impact decisions at senior levels
* Strong administrative and analytical skills – Excel, Word, PowerPoint
* CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) – advanced HR knowledge is highly desirable
* Ability to manage complex priorities independently, with confidence in handling sensitive or high‑stakes situations
* Passionate about shaping a positive, inclusive, and ethical workplace culture
Important Safeguarding Information
* Hold (or be willing to obtain) an enhanced DBS check registered on the Update Service. If you don’t yet have one, you’ll need to cover the cost.
* Be eligible to work in regulated roles – not on the Children’s Barred List.
* Successfully complete background and reference checks.
What You’ll Love About This Role
* Make a tangible difference across two regions, shaping engagement, recognition, and culture
* Work closely with senior leadership to influence strategy and people decisions
* Join a people‑first, ethically driven organisation committed to professional growth and wellbeing
* Take ownership of high‑impact HR initiatives, leaving a lasting legacy across the company
At Tops Day Nurseries, we are an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
Apply Now
Excited to make a difference? Take the next step in your career and join Tops Day Nurseries.
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