HR Advisor - FTC

Wates Group are looking for an experienced HR Advisor to join our HR team supporting both our Central Services Functions (IT, Finance, etc) and Land and Development business out of our Leatherhead office in Surrey. Reporting to the HR Business Partner, this role provides critical ER support to the business, allowing us to manage and support our people effectively.

HR Advisor – Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and resolve Employee Relations (ER) casework: Handle sickness, disciplinary, grievance, capability and appeal cases, ensuring timely, fair and high‑quality outcomes. Produce all accompanying documentation, including invites, outcome letters and meeting notes.

2. Deliver HR project activity: Support TUPE transfers, restructures and redundancy processes, including preparing ELI data, conducting consultations and liaising with third parties when required.

3. Manage people risk and build manager capability: Identify emerging people risks, provide coaching on HR policies and practices, and design or deliver training and support materials to upskill managers.

4. Ensure compliance and accurate data management: Respond to Subject Access Requests, collating/redacting data appropriately; maintain accurate casework records and produce monthly ER activity reports.

5. Provide insight and contribute to continuous improvement: Analyse ER trends to inform people plans, stay current with legislation and policy changes, and actively contribute to the HR Advisor network by sharing best practice.

Key Behaviours

1. Relationship‑building & collaboration
Builds strong partnerships with managers, colleagues and external stakeholders to drive positive outcomes.

2. Professional judgement & confidentiality: Applies sound judgement in sensitive situations and maintains confidentiality at all times.

3. Proactive problem‑solving: Anticipates risks, identifies improvement opportunities and takes initiative to create practical solutions.

4. Continuous learning & adaptability: Keeps knowledge up to date, adapts to changing priorities and contributes to consistent, high‑quality HR practice.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is fast paced, challenging, yet rewarding role, with a primary focus to provide comprehensive and professional HR advice, guidance and support to managers and employees on a full range of HR transactional activities.

We are looking for you to already be working in a similar role and environment with experience in providing both remote and face to face advice, guidance and direction to employees and managers.

To be successful in the role you will be an effective communicator, able to build relationships across the business to promote and encourage the integration of HR policies, procedures, and best practice. You will also have the confidence and proven experience in taking the lead on projects such as TUPE and other employee relations matters, and ideally by CIPD Level 5 qualified or currently completing this

This role will be carried out through a combination of working out of our Leatherhead office and remote working.

WHAT WE OFFER 

• Competitive salary
• Flexible working  
• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) / car allowance.
• Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers' contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays
• Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.
• Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity/partner leave.  

Our commitments: 

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.  We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work.  As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme.  Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at recruitment@wates.co.uk