Job title: People Adviser
Contract type: 1 Permanent Position & 1 12-month Fixed Term Contract
Location: Manchester
Salary: £34,000 to £38,300
Working Arrangements: Hybrid working - 2 days a week in office (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Introduction
If you're an experienced HR professional who enjoys solving complex people challenges and building trusted relationships, this is an opportunity to make a real impact. As a People Adviser at AQA, you'll work closely with managers across the business, helping them navigate employee relations and employee lifecycle matters with confidence, consistency and commercial awareness.
Purpose of the Role
You'll play a key role in delivering a high-quality people advisory service across AQA. Working as part of our People Partnering and Employee Relations function, you'll provide practical, expert guidance on employee relations, organisational change and people matters, helping managers make informed decisions that create positive outcomes for colleagues and the business.
You'll also collaborate closely with colleagues across the Advisory, Partnering and Employee Relations teams, ensuring a consistent and joined-up approach to people practices across AQA.
In this role, you'll be responsible for:
- Providing expert guidance and support to managers on employee relations and employee lifecycle matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant decision-making.
- Leading and managing complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, conduct, capability and absence matters, from investigation through to outcome.
- Partnering with colleagues across the People team to deliver people initiatives, support organisational change and drive consistency in the application of policies and processes.
You'll thrive in this role if you have:
- Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases and leading formal processes with confidence from investigation through to outcome.
- Strong employment law knowledge and experience applying policies, procedures and best practice in a practical business environment.
- The ability to build credibility quickly, coaching and influencing managers at different levels while providing balanced and commercially focused advice.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to handle sensitive situations professionally and confidently.
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience) and experience working within a busy HR advisory or business partnering environment.
What's in it for you?
This is an opportunity to work on meaningful people challenges while developing your expertise within a collaborative and supportive People function.
- Work on a diverse range of complex and high-impact employee relations matters.
- Play a key role in supporting managers and shaping positive colleague experiences across AQA.
- Collaborate with experienced Advisory, Partnering and Employee Relations professionals who value knowledge sharing and teamwork.
- Access opportunities for ongoing professional development and continuous learning.
- Benefit from AQA's flexible working approach and commitment to employee wellbeing.
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone-regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background-is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
What's Next?
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter as part of the application process and answer screening questions.
Application deadline: 23:59 on Monday 7th Sept 2026
Interview process: 1st stage interviews happen on W/C 14th Sept and final stages the following week.
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