People Advisor

Our Company Culture

Vetsure is a fast-growing SME providing a range of services to independent vets across the UK, including pet insurance, buying group services and facilities management services to enable vets to collect monthly direct debits for pet health plans.

The company is experiencing exceptional growth and now turns over in excess of £50 million.

The positive values woven into the fabric of Vetsure stem from our love of pets and our passion for care, support and well-being. This culture extends throughout our team too, and we strive to create an inclusive and engaging environment where all our employees feel valued and able to thrive.

Email your application to [email protected]

Key Facts About the Role

Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday
Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire (office-based)
Reports to: People Manager

Benefits

• Free parking.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays. Following three years of continuous service, annual leave increases by one additional day per completed year of service, up to a maximum of 28 days.
• 3% pension contribution when you contribute 5%.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• The option to buy or sell annual leave.
• A long service recognition scheme.

Additional Benefits After Passing Probation

• Two days of additional leave to settle a new cat or dog into your home.
• One day of additional leave to move to a new home.
• Discounted pet insurance.
• Optional enrolment onto our Vitality Healthcare scheme, with a £30 monthly contribution from the company towards your premium.

Job Description

The People Advisor will provide practical, proactive support across the employee lifecycle, with responsibility for routine employee relations, recruitment and day-to-day manager support. Working closely with the People Manager, they will ensure people activity is delivered consistently, fairly and in line with legislation and company policy.

The role will also support people projects, employee development and continuous improvement, while helping to develop the People Administrator’s capability and progression.

Main Duties

Employee Relations & Manager Support

• Act as the first point of contact for managers on routine people and employee relations matters, including performance, absence, conduct, probation and capability, providing practical advice and coaching.
• Manage routine employee relations matters independently within agreed policies and processes, using sound judgement to identify and escalate complex, sensitive or higher-risk issues to the People Manager.
• Support investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes as appropriate, ensuring a fair, consistent and legally compliant approach.
• Build trusted relationships with managers and help them handle people matters confidently and consistently.
• Support managers to apply people policies and processes effectively, identifying recurring issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Proactively identify emerging people issues, trends or risks and work with managers and the People Manager to implement preventative solutions.

Recruitment & Employee Lifecycle

• Own the operational recruitment process for agreed vacancies, partnering with managers on role requirements, selection and candidate experience, with administrative coordination supported by the People Administrator.
• Provide people guidance across the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, induction phase (also known as probationary periods), absence, family leave, flexible working, internal moves and offboarding.
• Oversee the effective completion of relevant people processes, ensuring activity is accurate, timely and provides a positive employee experience.
• Ensure people records and systems are maintained accurately, working with the People Administrator to resolve discrepancies or gaps.

Learning, Development & Employee Experience

• Support the People Manager in delivering learning and development initiatives that build employee capability and support personal growth.
• Coordinate and support the delivery of training, workshops and other development opportunities.
• Work with managers to identify development needs and help employees access appropriate learning opportunities.
• Contribute to engagement, wellbeing and employee experience initiatives.

People Projects, Data & Improvement

• Support and take ownership of agreed people projects, taking increasing responsibility as experience develops.
• Gather people data to identify trends, risks and opportunities, working with the People Manager to determine appropriate action.
• Identify and implement improvements to people processes, systems and ways of working.
• Keep up to date with UK employment legislation.
• Use people data, feedback and operational insight to anticipate challenges and recommend improvements before issues arise.

People Team & Development

• Support the People Manager in developing the People Administrator, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching and feedback to build their confidence and capability.
• Help the People Administrator progressively take on greater responsibility and broader people activity, supporting their development.
• Work closely with the People Administrator to ensure routine people administration is effectively prioritised, allocated and completed.
• Provide oversight and guidance where the Administrator is supporting people processes, ensuring work is delivered accurately and consistently.
• Work collaboratively with the People Manager to provide a consistent, responsive and effective service to our employees.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who is:

• Values-led: Genuinely interested in creating a positive employee experience and a great place to work.
• Confident: Able to provide clear advice and constructive challenge to managers where appropriate.
• Practical: Applies sound judgement and finds sensible, proportionate solutions.
• Commercially aware: Understands the wider business context when advising on people matters.
• Approachable: Builds trust and positive relationships across the organisation.
• Proactive and organised: Manages competing priorities and takes ownership of their work.
• Continuous improvement mindset: Regularly seeks opportunities to improve processes, simplify ways of working and enhance the employee experience.
• Resilient: Comfortable handling sensitive and sometimes challenging situations. Able to remain calm, professional and objective when managing multiple priorities, sensitive employee matters and periods of organisational change.
• Collaborative: Enjoys working as part of a small, growing People team.
• Development focused: Keen to broaden their expertise and progress towards broader People Partner responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Experience in a generalist HR/People Advisor or equivalent role.
• Practical experience managing routine employee relations matters and supporting managers.
• Experience across performance, absence, conduct, probation and capability processes.
• Experience managing or supporting end-to-end recruitment.
• Good working knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.
• Strong communication, organisation and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

• CIPD Level 5 qualified, working towards, or equivalent practical HR experience.
• Experience working in a growing SME environment.
• Experience supporting People projects, manager development or learning initiatives.

What Does Success Look Like in This Role?

• Managers see you as a trusted and confident first point of contact for day-to-day people and employee relations matters.
• Routine employee relations matters are handled effectively and independently, with appropriate escalation of complex or higher-risk cases.
• Recruitment and employee lifecycle activity is delivered smoothly and consistently.
• People processes become more efficient and effective through your input and ownership.
• The People Administrator grows in confidence, capability and responsibility with your support.
• You contribute meaningfully to employee development, engagement and experience.
• You build broader people expertise and take on increasing responsibility as the organisation grows.
• Potential people risks and issues are identified early, with effective preventative action taken where appropriate.
• Managers become increasingly confident and capable in handling people matters through your coaching and support.

Why Join Vetsure?

At Vetsure, we are proud to offer a supportive, collaborative working environment where people feel valued and respected. We are passionate about the wellbeing of pets and the people who care for them, and we aim to provide an excellent experience for both customers and colleagues.

We invest in our people, offer opportunities for personal and professional development, and create a workplace culture where success is shared and achievements are recognised.

If you are looking for a meaningful career in a business that cares, we would love to hear from you.