HR Advisor (12 Month Contract)

HR Advisor (12 Month Fixed Term Contract) | Carlisle or West Cumbria | £34,000 | Full Time | Hybrid

Are you an HR Advisor who enjoys the casework side of the job? Could you step in quickly and pick up a busy generalist caseload from day one?

A well-known business in the fast paced retail sector are looking for an HR Advisor for a 12 interim contract starting as soon as possible. You'll join a small, close HR team of four, supporting managers across a fast-moving, high-volume operation where no two weeks look the same. It's a proper hands-on advisory role with a real mix of employee relations, change work and absence management, and there's a possibility of a permanent role at the end of the cover for the right person.

You'll be based from the Carlisle or West Cumbria office, with hybrid working on offer.

The Role

You'll be the go-to adviser for managers, keeping people processes fair, consistent and compliant across the business.

Employee relations

You'll carry a varied ER caseload and guide managers through it.

• Give clear, structured advice to managers on investigations, grievances and disciplinaries


• Make sure cases are handled in line with employment law and internal policy


• Keep accurate records and case notes throughout

Change and restructure

The business moves quickly, so change work is a regular part of the job.

• Lead on change activity including TUPE, redundancy and changes to terms and conditions


• Support managers through consultation and the practical side of each change

Absence and wellbeing

You'll help managers get on top of absence and support people back to work.

• Run monthly absence case reviews with managers, escalating where needed


• Support return-to-work plans and work closely with Occupational Health


• Work with the team on the wider approach to absence management

Data and reporting

You'll use HR data to show senior managers what's actually going on.

• Produce and analyse HR reports, spotting trends early


• Put forward practical solutions based on what the data shows


• Support HR projects as they come up

You'll Flourish if You Have

• At least two years in an HR Advisor role, ideally somewhere high-volume and fast-paced


• Solid experience handling ER casework and coaching managers through it


• Hands-on experience of change work, including TUPE and redundancy


• Confidence with data, from producing reports to explaining what the numbers mean


• The credibility to build good working relationships with managers at every level


• The ability to juggle shifting priorities without losing attention to detail


• Availability to start immediately or at short notice


• CIPD Level 3 or above (or working towards) is a plus


• A retail, facilities or other fast-moving sector background would be helpful but isn't essential

Why You'll Love Working Here

• £34,000 salary 


• Hybrid working, based from Carlisle or West Cumbria


• A 12 month assignment with the possibility of a permanent role at the end


• A small, supportive HR team with plenty of variety in the work


• Immediate start

Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification. Reasonable adjustments are available for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.