Harris Hill is delighted to be supporting Helen & Douglas House exclusively in the search for its new Senior HR Advisor. Helen & Douglas House is a wonderful charity providing specialist hospice care for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, as well as support for their families. Working as one of two HR practitioners, the successful candidate will take ownership of a varied operational HR portfolio, helping ensure the charity has effective people processes and the right support in place to deliver its vital work.
The role is full-time, permanent and hybrid, based at Helen & Douglas House in Oxford. There is flexibility to work from the office in a way that suits the successful candidate; however, regular weekly office attendance is required, with the charity ideally looking for someone who can be in the office at least two days per week.
As Senior HR Advisor, you will manage a broad range of operational HR responsibilities, taking ownership of the full recruitment and onboarding process, including safer recruitment checks, contracts, inductions and probation reviews. You will manage your own employee relations caseload, advising managers on absence, conduct, capability and grievance matters, supporting investigations and attending meetings and hearings where required. You will also oversee HR administration, including contractual changes, monthly payroll inputs, pension and benefits data, and the day-to-day administration of the organisation’s HR systems. Maintaining accurate employee records, monitoring compliance and mandatory training, producing workforce reports, reviewing and improving HR policies and processes, and supporting organisational change and wider HR projects will also form part of your remit. Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will provide routine HR cover when the HR Manager is unavailable, recognising when matters require escalation or specialist advice.
The charity is looking for an experienced HR generalist with a solid track record of managing employee relations matters independently, alongside hands-on experience of end-to-end recruitment, HR administration, contracts, payroll inputs and HR information systems. You will have a good working knowledge of UK employment law and the confidence to translate legislation and policies into clear, practical advice for managers. A relevant HR qualification, such as CIPD Level 3 or 5, or equivalent experience and knowledge, is expected. Above all, you will be proactive, organised and pragmatic, with excellent attention to detail, strong communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities without close supervision. Confidence using HR systems, Excel and Microsoft 365 is important, as is the ability to use approved AI and automation tools responsibly. Experience of working in a regulated environment, safer recruitment, workplace investigations or supporting a multi-site or shift-based workforce would be advantageous, although candidates from any sector are welcome.
To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV by 18 November at 23:59. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a tailored cover letter after reviewing the full job description.
Please note that only applicants with an unrestricted right to work in the UK will be considered for this position.
Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.
As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
