TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE, PLEASE HEAD TO THE USP COLLEGE WEBSITE Vacancy details Cross Campus (Benfleet, Grays & Canvey) 37 hrs / week | 52 weeks / year Job Details We’re looking for an exceptional HR Advisor who loves variety, thrives under pressure, and wants to make a real impact across the entire employee journey—from wellbeing initiatives, employee relations and performance management to supporting on recruitment, payroll, and strategic reporting. This is a fast-paced, people-focused role where you’ll coach managers, champion staff wellbeing, and help shape HR practice across the College. If you’re organised, proactive, and passionate about doing HR brilliantly, this is your chance to step into a role where no two days are the same—and every day matters. Main Purpose of the Role: As our HR Advisor, you’ll be the first point of contact for all HR queries, providing clear, consistent, and professional advice. No two days are the same — you’ll be supporting everything from recruitment and induction to employee relations, HR reporting, and policy improvement. In this role, you will: Provide expert advice and support to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management, and safeguarding, ensuring compliance with current policies, procedures, and legislation. Coach and develop managers across all areas of HR practice, including performance management, appraisals, probation, recruitment, staffing requests, and general people management. Manage and prepare accurate HR documentation and administration, including contracts, payroll data, DBS checks, electronic records, and reporting for internal and external stakeholders. Lead and support key HR processes such as recruitment, induction and onboarding, annual appraisals, staff wellbeing initiatives, and HR policy development. Produce timely monthly, quarterly, and annual HR reports and analysis to support decision-making by senior management and external organisations. Effectively prioritise and manage a high volume of HR queries, contribute to ad hoc projects, travel as required, and provide flexible support to the wider HR team. We’re looking for someone who is: You will be someone who is confident, solutions-focused, and able to build strong relationships at every level. You’ll bring a calm, professional approach to busy workloads and thrive in a collaborative environment. Essential: CIPD Level 3 (or equivalent qualification). Proven experience as an HR Advisor in a busy HR environment. Sound understanding of employee relations and employment legislation. Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills. Strong communication, coaching, and influencing abilities. Ability to work independently while supporting senior HR colleagues. High attention to detail and accuracy. Desirable: CIPD Level 5 or relevant degree. Experience with HR administration including payroll processes. Experience updating policies and procedures. Previous HR experience within education. Why choose us? Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail. What we offer: A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn Excellent pension provision Annual Staff Awards CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching Free onsite parking Staff appreciation days Eye care vouchers Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant Well-being days & activities Electric Vehicle Scheme* Discounted gym membership Hybrid Working available Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance * subject to terms & conditions This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration of their criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children. Self-declaration is subject to Ministry of Justice guidance on the disclosure of criminal records, further information can be found on GOV UK USP College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, we therefore expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any other checks that the role requires to ascertain suitability for working with children and/or vulnerable adults, which may include online searches.