HR Adviser

Job Description

Job Title: HR Adviser (OD)

Posting Start Date: 12/11/2025

Job Id: 1833

School/Department: Human Resources

Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary per annum (£): £32,080 - £36,636

Closing Date: 05/12/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

This is an exciting and challenging time for the University of Sheffield; we are striving to create an inclusive, high performing environment where staff wellbeing is at the heart of our organisation and where our colleagues are supported to thrive and reach their full potential.

Our Wellbeing agenda has grown significantly over the last few years and is a core priority of the One University Pillar of our University Vision and Strategic Plan. Key areas of focus for the team include; delivering excellent outcomes from the Staff Wellbeing Services, creating a disability and neuro-inclusive working environment and upskilling the organisation to create a supportive and collaborative culture.

This role is an excellent opportunity to grow your experience in Organisational Development in a complex but forward thinking organisation. Whilst this role is based in the Staff Wellbeing Team, you will work closely with colleagues across the People Development, EDI and Staff Engagement, Policy and Recruitment and Reward Teams.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, Managers and HR colleagues. In this fast paced role you will be encouraged to work both independently and as part of a team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide expert advice, guidance and support to HR colleagues and Managers on all matters relating to Wellbeing and the Wellbeing Services offer.
• Work closely with and support the Wellbeing Services, to include;
• The triage of all referrals across each service, directing referrals to the service that is best suited to support presenting issues and balancing appointment capacity.
• The coordination of counselling referrals to our external counselling provider.
• Support with signposting to further specialist resources and onward support.
• Responsible for the management of the Central Reasonable Adjustment process and coordination of Access to Work application outcomes, including liaison and guidance to colleagues and line managers as required.
• Produce management information and data to inform the continuous improvement of our Wellbeing Services and Faculty and School action planning.
• Undertake project work specific to the Wellbeing team and that contributes more broadly to the University, in order to broaden understanding of the organisation and develop a wider HR skill set.
• Adopt a business focussed, pragmatic and solution focussed approach that delivers positive outcomes for the organisation.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Demonstrable working knowledge of disability, wellbeing and neuro-inclusive practices in a workplace (staff) context.

Essential

Application, interview and selection test

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and inform colleagues across the University.

Essential

Application, interview and selection test

A pragmatic approach to problem solving on a wide range of issues with competing priorities, taking account of the impact of those decisions on the wider

organisation.

Essential

Application and interview

Proven IT skills including proficiency in the use of Google Workspace, MS Office and experience of data analysis/reporting.

Essential

Application, interview and selection test

Strong project planning and organisational skills with the ability to re-prioritise when required.

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of working effectively within and across diverse teams, influencing and collaborating with others to achieve business objectives.

Essential

Application/interview

An understanding of and ability to work within GDPR, exercise tact, diplomacy and confidentiality, handling difficult and sensitive situations confidently and effectively.

Essential

Application/interview

A commitment to CPD in themes directly relevant to the role is essential, including knowledge-sharing with other colleagues.

Essential

Application/interview

CIPD membership or commitment to working towards membership status is desirable

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience in a generalist HR role and of the application of HR processes and practices.

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 6

Salary

£32,080 - £36,636 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Line manager

HR Manager, Staff Wellbeing

For informal enquiries about this job contact Louise Blee, HR Manager, Staff Wellbeing: on

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in December 2025. This will consist of an interview and test/activity. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage during w/c 8 December. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jennie Gladwin at

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().

What we offer

• A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.