Lead People Adviser (HR)

Lead People Adviser (HR)

£40,408

27.5 days annual leave plus bank holidays - Up to 4 days additional time off during the winter closure period - Enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme - Access to a wide range of staff benefits and discount schemes

Shape the future of our people and your career

At Bournemouth & Poole College, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to grow and strengthen the College, we are investing in our most important asset, our staff. Whether supporting students directly or enabling learning through professional services, we foster a culture that develops, supports and empowers colleagues to make an exceptional impact.

Through strong leadership and a commitment to excellence, we are building a future-ready workforce that thrives in a supportive and ambitious environment.

This newly created Lead People Adviser (HR) role is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking People Services team and play a key role in shaping a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace.

About the role

As a Lead People Adviser, you will be a senior member of the People Services team—combining expert HR advice with operational leadership.

You’ll partner with leaders across the College to deliver high-quality, pragmatic HR support, while leading the day-to-day delivery of People Services. This includes managing our People Administration team, overseeing HR processes and systems, and driving a consistent, customer-focused service.

You’ll play a critical role in leading complex employee relations activity, strengthening management capability, and supporting organisational change—helping to ensure a positive and compliant colleague experience across the full employee lifecycle.

What you’ll be doing

Acting as a trusted adviser to leaders, providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters
Leading and managing sensitive and high-risk casework with confidence and sound judgement
Line managing and developing the People Administration team to deliver an efficient, high-quality service
Overseeing HR operations, ensuring accurate, compliant and timely processes across the employee lifecycle
Supporting organisational change initiatives, including restructures and workforce planning
Using workforce data and insight to identify trends and drive continuous improvement
Championing a positive, inclusive and people-centred culture across the College
Contributing to policy development, projects and the delivery of the People Strategy
What we’re looking for

We’re looking for a credible and proactive HR professional who can combine strong operational leadership with expert advisory capability.

You will bring:

Significant experience in a senior HR advisory or business partnering role
Proven expertise in managing complex employee relations casework
Experience leading or supervising HR teams and service delivery
Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships
A strategic mindset with the ability to use data and insight to inform decisions
CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience) is essential.
Why join us?

Be part of a growing, values-driven organisation where people truly matter
Play a key role in shaping an exceptional colleague experience
Join a supportive, collaborative and forward-thinking People Services team
Access ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
Benefit from a competitive package, including generous annual leave and pension
Ready to apply?

If you are a motivated HR professional with a passion for supporting people and delivering excellence, we would love to hear from you.

We encourage early applications, as we may close the vacancy once we receive a sufficient number of strong applications.

Working at Bournemouth and Poole College

More than just a job.

At Bournemouth & Poole College, we are passionate about turning potential into professionals. We are the largest college in the area and a vital engine for the local economy, educating over 9,000 learners and partnering with over 1,000 employers to bridge the gap between local talent and real futures.

A proud culture.

We know that if we want our students to succeed, we have to start by looking after our people. We work hard to create an environment where you feel trusted and valued rather than just employed. In our 2025 inspection, Ofsted observed:

"They have developed an inclusive culture where staff feel empowered to make a positive difference to students and apprentices. Leaders and managers have improved staff morale; staff are proud to work at the college."

A place to grow and belong.

We are committed to a workplace that is genuinely inclusive, where everyone is inspired to contribute and succeed. You will find a vibrant, rewarding environment that celebrate ambition and success in equal measures. To get a better feel for life at the College and explore our full range of benefits, visit our Work With Us page.

Armed Forces Covenant

As proud Armed Forces Covenant signatories, we value the skills and experience veterans, reservists and military families, and encourage them to consider a career with us.

Safeguarding Commitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to share in this commitment. The successful will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks which includes an enhanced DBS check as well as providing proof of the right to work in the UK
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed