Senior HR Adviser

What skills and experience we're looking for

This role can be based at either our London or Leicester office, with flexibility for hybrid working.

Be part of a collaborative People Services team where your impact truly matters!

We looking for an experienced and people-focused Senior HR Advisor to join our People Services team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping the colleague experience across our schools and central services—supporting leaders to get the very best from their teams while helping to deliver our ambitious People Strategy.

You’ll partner closely with managers, champion a culture of wellbeing and inclusion, and provide expert guidance on a wide range of people matters.

If you’re passionate about building strong relationships, driving positive organisational change, and making a real difference to the everyday working lives of colleagues, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note: this vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.

What will you do?

• ​Shape the future of our schools by partnering with leaders to align people strategies with organisational goals, using data and insights to solve real challenges.
• ​Be a trusted advisor on workforce planning, talent, engagement, wellbeing, and organisational design—helping our people and teams thrive.
• ​Drive cultural transformation by building leadership capability and guiding managers through complex people challenges.
• ​Make a real impact on Trust-wide priorities by leading projects, shaping policies, and delivering initiatives that bring our People Strategy to life.
• ​Bring your expertise in areas such as EDI, mental health, or employee value proposition—using your skills to design innovative and meaningful solutions.
• ​Collaborate and grow alongside passionate People Services colleagues, sharing best practice and delivering high-quality, value-added support across the Trust.
• ​Stay informed on legislative changes and educational requirements to continuously improve people services across the Trust.

What are we looking for?

• Solid experience in an HR generalist role, with broad exposure across the employee lifecycle.
• A track record of supporting managers on all aspects of people matters, including recruitment, offers, policies, performance, employee relations, absence management, contract changes, and exits.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced HR environment, providing clear and practical first-line advice on policies, procedures, employment law, and employee relations.
• Proven ability to develop and update policies in line with changes to employment legislation.
• A strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students.
• Previous experience in Education is desirable.

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

What the school offers its staff

Why should you apply

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• NEST pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Flexible working opportunities
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme
• Free staff lunch and on-site parking

Further details about the role

Pre-employment checks

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion

We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.

Commitment to safeguarding

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks. Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.