HR Advisor

We’re looking for a confident, approachable HR professional who is passionate about supporting people and delivering high-quality advice. This role will primarily focus on employee relations casework, so a strong skill set and confidence in this area is important. Alongside this, there will be opportunities to get involved in wider HR activity and projects across the Trust.

We’re looking for someone with a strong HR generalist background and solid employee relations experience, who can build positive, trusting relationships and take a calm, pragmatic approach. You’ll be confident providing clear, practical advice, while also being willing to get involved more widely and contribute to the ongoing development of our People Function.

Our schools are supportive, welcoming environments, and the people you’ll work with are a real asset to the Trust. You’ll partner with leaders and colleagues who value practical, people-centred HR support.

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail please contact [email protected]

The HR Advisor will report into People Business Partner. This role is currently operating hybrid working in our Pontefract Office on a permanent basis working full time.

Interviews will be taking place in person on Thursday 8th October 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

• As the named HR lead for employee relations in Pontefract schools, act as the first point of contact for day-to-day ER queries, providing clear, pragmatic and solutions-focused advice and seeking guidance from the wider People team
• Support a full range of ER casework including disciplinary, grievance, attendance, capability, safeguarding concerns, probation and appeals
• Coordinate casework end to end: preparing case packs, organising meetings, supporting meetings, note-taking and drafting outcome letters
• Using absence data, support leaders in managing sickness in line with policy and disability legislation, including liaising with Occupational Health and supporting return-to-work plans
• Embed robust probation management for all new starters, ensuring reviews are completed on time, issues are escalated promptly, and clear advice is given on next steps
• Ensure leaders understand and follow Ark policies and processes; escalate complex or high-risk cases to the People Business Partnering team
• Build effective relationships with school leaders and Office Managers; act as the named HR lead for operational ER queries and assurance
• Support implementation of updated policies, guidance and HR ways of working across the Pontefract region, ensuring managers understand requirements and expectations
• Work collaboratively with Central People Team (Business Partners, AskHR, People Operations, Recruitment) to ensure high-performing support services for schools
• Support the People Business Partner and the wider Pontefract People team to ensure all HR activity is up to date, well organised and delivered efficiently, with all processes completed on time and in full compliance with statutory, safeguarding and Ark policy requirements

Key Requirements:

• Right to work in the UK
• GCSE English & Maths (or equivalent)
• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) preferred; willingness to work towards Level 5 if currently Level 3
• Proven HR generalist experience delivering day-to-day HR services, with a strong focus on employee relations and attendance management
• Experience providing clear first-line HR and ER advice to managers, with confidence to escalate appropriately
• Experience supporting ER casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance and probation matters, as well as preparing case documentation, taking notes and drafting outcome letters
• Experience supporting attendance management, including OH referrals
• Understanding of core employment legislation and the ability to apply it pragmatically in schools
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple schools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong IT skills (MS Office) and Applicant Tracking System (ATS)/HR system experience
• Professional, discreet and resilient, with the integrity to handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately
• A confident communicator who can build credibility and positive relationships with school leaders and managers

• Our flexible working model offers the best of both worlds, balancing in person collaboration, either in our Pontefract office or through visits to our schools, with the flexibility of remote working.
• In addition to flexible working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad.
• Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays.
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to. Depending on your role you may also be entitled to LGPS which is a defined benefit scheme where you contribute a percentage based on how much you earn (as do we) in exchange for a guaranteed amount in your pension pot every year.
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform.
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests.