HR Advisor

Role overview

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is looking for an HR Advisor to join its supportive HR function on a fixed-term basis or via secondment for around 7 months, ending on 29 January 2027. The team would like someone who can begin as soon as possible. This post sits within Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Services and offers a chance to make a strong early contribution to HR support and advisory work across the Trust.

This is a full-time position with a hybrid working pattern. You will split your time between home, the team base in Littlemore, Oxford, and other Trust sites as needed. The role is suited to someone who enjoys hands-on employee relations work, wants to broaden generalist HR exposure, and is confident supporting managers and staff with practical, reliable advice.

Main focus of the role

The post is centred on delivering responsive HR guidance and helping to strengthen the Trust’s HR support function. A key part of the job is working closely with local teams to provide expert advice, build manager confidence, and contribute to day-to-day people management matters. You will also take part in broader HR project work and support leadership development in people-related issues.

Key duties

• Help maintain a constructive employee relations environment and act as a liaison point with trade union representatives where appropriate.
• Advise and support managers on a broad range of HR matters, including sickness management, redeployment, and formal casework such as grievances, capability concerns, and disciplinary matters, escalating issues when needed.
• Guide managers and employees on topics such as flexible working requests, different types of leave, career breaks, and the use of probationary policy.
• Keep managers informed with timely updates, practical advice, and clear information on HR issues.
• Contribute to organisational change activity under the direction of a senior HR colleague.

Further information

The Trust asks applicants to review the attached job description for the full list of responsibilities. Candidates are also encouraged to read the candidate guide for making an application and to tailor their supporting statement to the post, ensuring that essential criteria are clearly addressed.

Oxford Health provides physical health, mental health, and social care services for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath, and North East Somerset. The organisation’s values are: caring, safe, and excellent.

Benefits and support

The Trust offers a range of benefits aimed at supporting wellbeing and career growth, including access to tailored learning and development, 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 33 days with continuous service, an NHS discount programme across shops, restaurants, and retailers, a competitive pension scheme, a cycle-to-work scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme, mental health first aid support, and staff networking and support groups run by the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team.

Contact for informal enquiries

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Joanne Perkins, Head of HR, on 07823 468631 or by email at joanne.perkins@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.