Senior People Partner

Take the lead on complex HR advisory work, build trusted senior client relationships and help shape the continued growth of a developing HR service. Senior People Partner – HR Advisory Canterbury, Kent Salary £65,000–£78,000, depending on experience Full Time, Permanent Onsite, with client visits as required Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm As our client's HR Advisory service continues to grow, they are looking for a Senior People Partner to lead complex advisory work, build trusted retained client relationships and support the continued development of the service.

You will advise a varied client base across retained, PAYG, project and wider advisory work, balancing technical HR expertise with practical judgement, commercial awareness and clear client communication. The role will suit someone who is confident advising business owners, Boards, Directors and senior leaders, and able to help clients manage complex people matters safely, proportionately and commercially. About the role You will lead higher-risk advisory work and selected retained client relationships, helping clients diagnose people issues, prioritise risk and agree practical actions.

The role includes complex ER, senior exits, settlement strategy, TUPE, organisational change, people planning, client relationship leadership, quality assurance and mentoring. You will also support People Partners and HR Support colleagues by providing technical guidance, case coaching, escalation support and quality assurance of advice, documentation, case notes and client communications. Alongside client delivery, you will contribute to service development, including templates, guidance, client onboarding, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

What you will be doing Leading complex and higher-risk retained client matters, including grievances, absence, capability, conduct, investigations, discrimination risk, whistleblowing, senior exits, settlement discussions, TUPE, redundancy and organisational change. Acting as lead adviser for selected clients and building trusted relationships with business owners, Boards, Directors and senior leadership teams. Diagnosing client issues before recommending solutions, using data, stakeholder conversations, case history and commercial context to identify risk, root cause and practical priorities.

Creating people plans, advisory roadmaps and clear next-step recommendations that balance immediate risk management with longer-term manager capability and client value. Explaining risk, options and recommendations clearly and commercially, including where a client wishes to proceed against advice or where legal, insurer, Director or specialist input is required. Attending client sites where required for onboarding, relationship management, fact-finding, HR audits, training delivery, employee relations support, project work and management update meetings.

Preparing client management updates, advisory reports, risk summaries, action plans and progress reports that show progress, recommendations, responsibilities and value delivered. Taking ownership of agreed HR project work for clients, including HR audits, policy reviews, people plans, manager capability programmes, training delivery, organisational change support and wider advisory projects. Mentoring People Partners and HR Support colleagues, supporting quality assurance of advice, documentation, case notes and client communications.

Identifying appropriate additional advisory, project, training, audit, handbook review or manager development opportunities where these would solve a genuine client need. Contributing to service development, including templates, guidance, client onboarding, knowledge sharing, service standards and continuous…