Senior HR Advisor

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.

Senior HR Advisor

Warwick / 3 days on site

6 months

The Senior HR Advisor provides dedicated, tailored people advice to employees, managers, and senior stakeholders on all HR and employee-related matters. The role works closely with the People Lead to develop and deliver the People Plan and support HR-related activities and projects (e.g., Talent, Reward, EVP) across the business. This role serves as a key point of contact for case management guidance and support on employee‑related issues, partnering with senior leadership as required.

The Senior HR Advisor provides timely, informed, and risk‑based advice on policies including Disciplinary, Grievance, Performance Improvement, Discrimination, Bullying & Harassment (DBH), Sickness Absence, and Drugs & Alcohol. The role ensures robust investigations are completed in relation to potential misconduct and that cases progress efficiently. The position requires balancing operational and strategic responsibilities across complex and diverse business areas.

• Support the People Lead in developing and executing an effective people plan for assigned business areas.
• Provide high‑quality, risk‑based advice and guidance to managers and colleagues on all HR matters, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.
• Advise managers on policies such as Disciplinary, Performance Improvement, Sickness Absence, Grievance, and DBH, including guidance on workplace suspension where appropriate.
• Support managers and investigation officers through employee investigations, ensuring legal compliance, timely progression, proper documentation, and coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of the talent agenda, including succession planning, engagement and development initiatives, End of Year processes, and Talent Reviews.
• Collaborate with the People Lead to deliver wider HR projects such as DEI, EVP, and Reward, liaising with Centres of Excellence as required.
• Produce and distribute monthly metrics, scorecards, and ad hoc reports; analyse trends to inform recommendations and business decisions.
• Proactively build knowledge of the business and specific business areas to provide tailored, fit‑for‑purpose advice.
• Support compliance with policies and procedures to minimise tribunals, grievances, and complaints, and maintain effective working relationships with Trade Union representatives.
• Work within established TU frameworks, addressing issues proactively and, where applicable, leading discussions in local TU forums.
• Provide support on Drugs & Alcohol policy, testing protocols, and workplace suspension procedures, coordinating larger‑scale programs with external suppliers where needed.
• Occasionally act as a Notetaker for sensitive cases or source documents for inclusion in Employment Tribunal bundles.
• Participate in and co‑facilitate Case Management training programs to build knowledge, expertise, and key networks.

• Proven experience providing risk‑based, business‑focused advice across all levels of an organisation, including senior stakeholders.
• Comprehensive knowledge of HR processes and policies, including case management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence stakeholders and manage escalations effectively.
• Experience handling challenging situations and difficult conversations with resilience and tenacity.
• Willingness to travel and maintain visibility across business areas.
• Ability to analyse situations and make well‑considered, confident decisions quickly.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Collaborative approach to working with the broader People function, challenging current practices, and…