The posting
Job description
HR Advisor (3 Month FTC) Oxford or Farnham
Shaw Gibbs is a growing top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England. Shaw Gibbs invest in their teams of high-quality specialists who work with the best-in-breed technology to create value for our clients which exceeds expectation.
Our culture is very important to us and is based on our company values of expert, respectful, innovative and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds and ideas. As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values and celebrates cultural and individual differences.
We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity on a 3 month fixed term contract basis for an HR Advisor to join either our team. This is a 3 month fixed term full-time role with hybrid and flexible working options (flexing your hours on different days to suit your lifestyle).
The Role
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers, providing practical and commercially focused guidance on a wide range of employee relations matters
- Manage and support complex ER casework, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, flexible working, and workplace investigations
- Coach and develop managers to build confidence and capability in handling people matters effectively and consistently
- Ensure HR policies, procedures and employment legislation are applied fairly, appropriately and in line with business requirements
- Lead and support formal meetings, hearings and appeals, preparing documentation and providing recommendations on outcomes
- Work closely with managers to identify and address employee relations risks, promoting early intervention and resolution wherever possible
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, providing proactive people advice that balances employee experience with commercial objectives
- Analyse ER trends and people data to identify themes, risks, and opportunities, making recommendations to improve manager capability and employee engagement
- Contribute to wider People Team initiatives, projects and continuous improvement activities that enhance the overall employee experience
What we can offer you
- Hybrid working (three days in the office and two days at home)
- Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm)
- Joining a fast-growing company with exciting growth plans ahead
- Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills
- A varied role within a talented and experienced team
- ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values
- Regular employee events including a company-wide summer party
- A competitive benefits package, including: A 25-day core holiday allowance plus other holiday-related benefits, such as: Holiday trading (the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per year), flexible bank holidays (the ability to flex your bank holidays to a day that suits you best) and additional holiday with service A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2nd medical opinions and mental health first aiders present in every office Access to MYNDUP – a wellbeing support platform which offers confidential 1-to-1 sessions with therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and coaches
- Shaw Gibbs Rewards – access to discounts on a wide range of retailers
- Health Cash Plan – money back on routine health appointments
- Client and employee referral bonuses
- Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Death in Service Life Assurance
- Enhanced family leave policies
- Long service awards
About You
- Previous experience in an HR Advisor, People Partner, or similar generalist HR role, preferably within a professional services background, with significant exposure to employee relations casework.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and confidence applying it in a practical, commercial manner.
- Experienced in managing a broad range of ER matters, including disciplinary, capability, grievance, absence management, performance, and flexible working cases.
- A trusted and credible advisor who can build effective relationships with managers at all levels of the business.
- Confident coaching and challenging managers to ensure consistent and effective people management practices.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and complex situations professionally.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach, using sound judgement to balance business needs with employee experience.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to produce accurate, high-quality documentation and reports.
- CIPD qualified with a genuine passion for creating positive workplace experiences and supporting organisational success.
Diversity, equality and inclusion
Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via the application form or via an email to [email protected].
We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.
Right to work
Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer sponsorship for visas/work permits, so you will need to have full right to work in the UK. Your application will be automatically rejected if you do not have full right to work.
