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Senior HR Advisor
Location: Reading (Hybrid) Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time Grade: Consultant Ref: REQ003653
About XPS Group
XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2,000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve 1,400+ pension schemes and their sponsors. Our mission is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.
About The Role
We are strengthening our HR team with a new Senior HR Advisor, primarily based in Reading with hybrid working and occasional travel to other UK offices as required. This role sits within the HR Business Partnering team and plays a key strategic support function in delivering high-quality, UK employment law-compliant HR services across the organisation.
You will provide expert guidance on employee relations, policy interpretation, and people processes, working closely with HR Business Partners and the wider HR team. This role requires strong judgment, the ability to navigate complex and sensitive cases, and the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels. You will also contribute to HR projects, policy development, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance the employee experience and align with the company’s strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide proactive, expert advice on all aspects of UK employment law, HR policies, and people processes
- Lead complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, and performance management, ensuring fairness, consistency, and risk mitigation
- Support managers in absence management, including liaison with occupational health providers and external partners
- Ensure HR policies and practices are applied consistently in line with UK legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal audit standards
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers, building strong working relationships
- Coach leaders on people management capability and promote best practice
- Collaborate with HR Business Partners to support the delivery of people plans aligned to business objectives
- Escalate complex or high-risk issues to HR Business Partners as required
- Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of:
- HR policies
- Process improvements
- Change initiatives
- Lead or support HR projects aligned with business priorities
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Note: Due to the evolving nature of the business, the role may occasionally include additional tasks within your capabilities.
Your Profile
Essential
- Significant experience in a generalist HR role, ideally within financial services or a fast-paced, regulated environment
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience
- Proven ability to manage complex employee relations (ER) cases with minimal supervision
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Capacity to balance commercial outcomes with people risk considerations
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Highly organised, with the ability to balance competing priorities and meet tight deadlines
- Strong attention to detail, coupled with a proactive, solutions-focused approach
- Confident user of Microsoft Office suite and HR information systems
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Desirable
- CIPD Level 7 or equivalent
- Exposure to organisational change, including TUPE and restructuring
What We Offer
- Competitive salary + annual discretionary bonus
- 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility
- Pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts
- Flexible employee benefits scheme, including:
- Employee assistance programs
- Digital GP service
- Paid volunteer days with encouragement to participate in community events
- Referral bonuses for successful candidate introductions
How To Apply
Interested candidates should apply via [Apply Now](#[likely Broken Link]) or contact recruitment@xpsplc.com for more details.
Equal Opportunities Statement
XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. Applications are welcome from all candidates, regardless of:
- Sex
- Race
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief
As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure our workplace is accessible and supportive for all employees.
Eligibility and Background Checks
Any employment offer is conditional upon meeting the following:
- Satisfactory DBS Disclosure checks
- Confirmed employment or educational references
- Satisfactory credit checks
- Eligibility to work in the UK
Note: XPS Group does not provide sponsorship to employees.
Who Are We?
Visit www.xpsgroup.com to learn more.
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