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The Pirbright Institute
Permanent • Onsite: Woking, GU24
Please send your CV alongside a cover letter to jobs@pirbright.ac.uk. Before applying, please consider that all applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
About the Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute is a world-leading centre of excellence focusing on the study and control of viral diseases affecting livestock and those that can spread to humans (zoonoses). Our facilities enable over 150 scientists from more than 30 nationalities to collaborate in predicting, detecting, understanding and responding to high-consequence viral threats.
We value a vibrant and diverse community where scientific rigor meets collaboration. Your contribution will help shape a healthier, safer world for livestock and people.
About the role
Senior People Advisor who will provide professional HR advice and support across the employee lifecycle, focusing on employee relations, HR policy application, and day-to-day advisory support for managers and employees. This is a hands-on role working with People Partners and colleagues across Shared Services, Talent Acquisition and L&D to contribute to a positive employee experience while ensuring compliance with employment law and HR best practice. This role is ideal for someone seeking to deepen employee relations expertise and develop capability toward a business partnering role.
Key Responsibilities
* People Advisory & Employee Relations: act as the first point of contact for line managers and employees, providing timely, accurate advice on policies, procedures, and employment legislation.
* Support and advise on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and absence management; escalate complex issues to the People Partner as required.
* Guide managers in day-to-day people management, promoting fair and consistent policy application.
* Coordinate occupational health referrals, flexible working requests, and reasonable adjustments processes.
* Assist with change management consultations (e.g., non-renewal of fixed-term contracts, redeployment, restructuring, redundancy) in collaboration with People Partners.
People Process & Administration
* Support core HR processes: probation reviews, annual appraisals, and absence management.
* Execute the performance management cycle and development plan updates.
* Support annual pay progression and related processes.
* Collaborate with Shared Services to ensure accurate HR data, contracts, and documentation.
* Assist with HR reporting and case management records; contribute to trend analysis.
* Work with People Partners to ensure consistency of advice across the Institute.
* Partner with Talent, Shared Services and other departments to ensure onboarding, contract changes, and leaver processes are efficient and accurate.
* Ensure HR practices meet current legal and regulatory requirements.
* Support L&D in embedding learning initiatives and CPD development plans.
* Develop campaigns to communicate policies and processes to all employees.
* Champion wellbeing, inclusion and engagement across the Institute.
* Establish effective working relationships with managers and union representatives.
* Provide feedback on HR policies and processes for continuous improvement.
* Collaborate on the development and delivery of manager toolkits, induction, guidance notes, and resources to build people management capability.
* Participate in HR team projects and initiatives as required.
Role Requirements
* CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent HR experience.
* Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
* Experience advising managers on employee relations issues.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust quickly.
* Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage a varied caseload.
* Collaborative team player with a service-focused mindset.
* Proficient with HRIS and Microsoft Office.
* Experience in unionised or highly regulated environments.
* Familiarity with scientific research, academic or non-profit sectors.
* Experience supporting organisational change processes.
* Knowledge of visa and immigration processes for international staff and students.
What Pirbright offers you
* A supportive and collaborative working environment with a strong sense of community.
* Beautiful campus in a semi-rural location with free on-site parking and good transport links.
* Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life assurance (subject to age and earnings).
* 25 days annual leave plus public and privilege days, increasing up to 31 days with long service.
* Enhanced Maternity package.
* Option to buy and sell annual leave.
* Option to carry over up to two weeks of annual leave.
* Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site).
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Childcare allowance.
* Access to chargeable electric car charging facilities.
* On-site subsidised facilities including staff restaurant, gym and social club with subsidised membership.
Senior People Business Partner roles and other opportunities at The Pirbright Institute are listed at the location and may be updated periodically.
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