People Team Advisor

VetPartners Limited; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading veterinary services provider in York is seeking an Experienced HR Advisor to support their People team. The role involves providing expert HR advice, managing employee relations matters, and fostering a culture of wellbeing among colleagues. Candidates should have strong HR expertise, excellent interpersonal skills, and a sound understanding of UK Employment Law. The position offers a competitive salary of up to £32,500 per annum, pro rata, with a hybrid work model and various employee benefits including holiday flexibility and health plans.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Health Shield Cash Plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Enhanced family leave provisions

Discounted veterinary fees

Qualifications

• Solid HR and resourcing administration experience.
• Experience managing employee relations cases and supporting organisational change.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain absolute discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on employee relations matters.
• Support investigations and hearings to ensure legal compliance.
• Manage complex cases including long-term sickness and capability.

Skills

Strong coaching skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Collaborative team player

Proactive, solutions-focused approach

Education

Strong working knowledge of UK Employment Law

Tools

HR systems

Job description

VetPartners Limited, York (Hybrid - 60% In-Office)

We have a further opening for an Experienced HR Advisor to join our People team, which serves more than 8000 colleagues working at Veterinary practices throughout the UK & Ireland. You'll provide professional, pragmatic HR advice and support to managers and colleagues across the business, ensuring people policies and processes are applied fairly, legally, and in line with organisational goals. Acting as a trusted partner you'll balance the needs of the business with the wellbeing of colleagues. We have FT hours commissioned, though would be open to part time candidates or job shares; for example 9:30-2:30 to fit with school hours.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Partner with managers and senior stakeholders to provide expert advice on ER matters including grievances, disciplinaries, performance, absence, capability, redundancy, flexible working, and probation, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and values.
• Support investigations and hearings, ensuring fair, transparent, and well-documented processes that uphold legal and ethical standards.
• Draft and deliver outcome documentation and communications that are clear, consistent, and compliant with employment law.
• Collaborate with Business Development Directors, Practice Management, and Business Support Managers to influence people-related decisions and contribute to the success of wider business projects.
• Promote colleague wellbeing through proactive guidance and support, embedding a culture of care and resilience.
• Facilitate mediation processes to resolution, and escalate appropriately where business-level input is required.
• Conduct retention interviews and analyse themes to inform initiatives that improve employee engagement and reduce turnover.
• Manage complex cases including long‑term sickness and ill‑health capability, integrating Occupational Health advice and implementing reasonable adjustments.
• Guide practices in applying absence policies consistently, providing coaching that strengthens manager confidence.
• Deliver consultation processes for restructures and redundancies, ensuring correct implementation and providing clear advice to support organisational change.
• Partner with HRBPs on case management, organisational integrations, and strategic workforce planning.
• Review and update job specifications, ensuring alignment with evolving organisational structures and role expectations.
• Coach and develop managers in handling people issues, building sustainable leadership capability.
• Design and deliver training programmes that enhance leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, and organisational performance.
• Provide guidance to the Shared Services Team, leading initiatives to build capability and manage escalated queries effectively.
• Analyse employee relations data and trends, using insights to shape training, policies, and proactive interventions.
• Contribute to policy development, engagement programmes, and wider People Team initiatives that support business culture and performance.
• Ensure accurate and compliant HR record‑keeping in line with GDPR and governance requirements.
• Work collaboratively across the People Team and wider business, supporting continuous improvement and knowledge‑sharing.

So, who are we looking for...

We looking for someone with strong coaching skills who has experience within all areas of employee relations looking to support a more diverse and challenging caseload. You'll have excellent interpersonal skills and be adaptable to different situations and styles, able to build credible relationships at all levels whilst also being customer focused and commercially aware, able to manage ambiguity and achieve results. You'll embrace the VetPartners culture, leading by example in all activities.

Do you have the following skills and experience?:

• Solid HR and resourcing administration experience.
• Strong working knowledge of UK Employment Law and HR best practice.
• Experience managing employee relations cases and supporting organisational change.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships and influence at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence in stakeholder management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and comfortable using HR systems.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain absolute discretion and confidentiality.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, with the ability to balance multiple priorities without compromising standards.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused approach with sound judgement.
• Collaborative team player, able to work effectively across HR and with wider business stakeholders.
• Determined and committed to delivering high‑quality outcomes.

What we can offer in return (pro rata):

• Salary up to £32,500 per annum, pro rata
• Based at our York Central Support Office, with 60% in‑office time but some flexibility around in hours and days worked.
• 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays, and the option to sell 5, or buy another 10 days holiday, giving flexibility for longer breaks (Pro‑rata)
• Health Shield Cash Plan & PERKS - various discounts including gym memberships & retail
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Enhanced paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave, and surrogacy pay
• Company sick pay
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Focus on employee wellbeing

If this sounds like the role for you, please apply today!

Do apply directly (No agency submissions)