We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
We’re on the hunt for a driven HR Advisor who’s ready to jump in, make a difference, and bring fresh energy to our supportive team.
In this pivotal role, you’ll deliver high-quality, centralised support to our HR Business Partners, Head of HR, and teams across the business, playing a key role in how we manage, support, and empower our people.
You’ll be the trusted source for consistent and compliant HR advice, championing fair policies, effective people management, and smooth processes across the organisation with a strong record in managing ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance). Collaboration is at the core of what we do, and your ability to engage stakeholders and work closely with colleagues will help drive positive outcomes and bring HR strategies and projects to life.
Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:
HR Expertise: You’ll bring solid generalist HR experience, with a strong background in employee relations and case management. A CIPD Level 3 qualification (or higher) would be a bonus—but it’s not essential.
Communication & Influence: You’ll have excellent written and verbal communication skills and feel confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels to build trust and drive meaningful outcomes.
Organisation & Detail: You’ll know how to prioritise, stay organised, and juggle multiple tasks. With a sharp eye for detail, you’ll spot the small things that make a big difference.
Teamwork & Initiative: You’re a collaborative team player with a proactive mindset, ready to roll up your sleeves, bring the energy, and support wherever it’s needed.
Tech Savvy: You’re comfortable using MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint, to present data and ideas in a clear, compelling way. You’ll have experience using Workday, or another HRIS system.
Problem Solving & Customer Focus: You’re a logical thinker who thrives on solving challenges, and you’re passionate about delivering great service with a people-first approach.
We’re big on flexible working. You’ll primarily work from home, with one day a week in the office, either in Haywards Heath, West Sussex or Salford Quays, Manchester. Prefer more time on-site? That’s totally fine too.
What’s involved:
- You’ll provide centralised expert advice and guidance to managers on a wide range of employee relations matters - including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and occupational health referrals. Ensuring fairness and alignment with employment law and company policies.
- You’ll deliver centralised HR support across the business pillars, maintaining consistency in approach and collaborating closely with the People Services Team, HR Business Partners at all levels and the Head of HR.
- You’ll develop trusted relationships with stakeholders across the business to provide HR advice, support and coaching to managers on general HR queries, policies and people related matters.
- You’ll attend and support formal hearings (disciplinary, grievance, capability) as the HR representative, ensuring due process is followed and outcomes are documented appropriately.
- You’ll contribute to HR related projects and initiatives in line with the wider HR and People Strategies.
- You’ll own and manage a caseload of employee relations cases, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate documentation. Provide timely updates on progress to relevant HR teams - including risks and outcomes to ensure consistency and informed decision making.
- You’ll support organisational change activity including restructures, role design and redundancy, preparing supporting documentation and guiding managers and employees through each stage.
- You’ll support the annual appraisal and pay review process.
- You’ll support and advise with the family friendly policies including Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave.
- You’ll contribute and support the team review and continuous improvement of HR policies, procedures and templates, ensuring alignment with current legislation and best practice.
- You’ll support recruitment activity where required, including advising on internal transfers, secondments and participating in interview processes if required.
- You’ll prepare reports and analyse HR data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement as required, escalate findings to the HR Business Partners or Head of HR as appropriate.
- You’ll provide training and coaching to managers on HR policies and best practice people management, building confidence and capability in handling employee matters effectively as required.
- You’ll advise on contractual variations and ensure all changes are handled in line with policy and employment law, escalating complex cases where required.
- You’ll manage and update ER case records on Workday (HRIS) system, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance.
- You’ll support annual audits and compliance reviews by providing accurate HR data, documentation and insights to ensure alignment with regulatory and organisational requirements.
- You’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
- You’ll ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.
Qualifications
- CIPD Level 3 or above, advantageous but not essential
- Ongoing commitment to professional development in HR and employment law.
Experience
- Strong generalist HR experience in a centralised HR function or shared service model.
- Proven track record in managing ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance).
- Experience supporting organisational change (e.g. restructures, redundancies).
- Skilled in HR project co-ordination and delivering policy/process improvements.
- Comfortable working with HR systems and case management tools.
- Confident in analysing HR data and producing insight-driven reports.
- Previous experience in Financial Services or regulated environments is a plus.
Skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong organisation, prioritisation, and attention to detail.
- Collaborative team player with a proactive mindset.
- Confident with MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
- Problem-solver with a logical, customer-focused approach.
Knowledge
- Solid understanding of UK employment law and HR policies.
- Understanding of how HR supports business strategy.
Behaviours
- A strong team player with a collaborative approach.
- Self-motivated with a proactive, can-do attitude.
- Takes ownership and delivers results with minimal supervision.
- Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality outcomes.
- Embraces continuous improvement and change.
- Aligned with company values and committed to supporting business goals.
If you're passionate about people and want to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape what comes next.
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.