Our Mission

Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. We are driven by our passionate belief in the transformational power of education and research to enable and empower our students, colleagues and partners and to improve the world around them.

Our People are critical to our success and key enablers of the 2030 Group Strategy.  We prioritise and invest strategically in enhancing the knowledge, professional practice and performance of people across the Group to ensure that we have the right capabilities to respond to the challenges of the external environment and meet our requirements for innovation and excellence. 

The People Team forms part of CU Corporate Services, a sister company within Coventry University Group, providing professional support to all entities across the Group, both in the UK and internationally.

The Role

This is exciting and rare development opportunity combining the responsibilities of a People Advisor with participation in the Level 7 People Professional Apprenticeship. You will be supported through the programme gaining hands-on experience, mentoring, and a professional qualification while contributing to the department’s strategic development in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

As People Advisor, based at our Coventry Campus, you will play a key operational role supporting Professional Services, necessitating the requisite specialist knowledge, confidence and credibility to operationalise ER frameworks and associated ER policies and procedures for all parts of the Group, providing dedicated support coaching and guidance to Line Managers to achieve and maintain high preforming teams. 

You will have ownership of a wide range of ER case management (including probationary, disciplinary, capability, grievance, absence activity).  Acting with discretion and sensitivity, you will provide initial informal support and accurate advice throughout all stages of formal employee relations processes, while ensuring compliance with UK and International employment laws.  

You will also work with the People Partner and change leads throughout the full organisational change process, which will include supporting with job evaluations, working with complex spreadsheets and providing guidance and advice to managers and colleagues at each stage of the process.  

Collaborating with our Centres of Expertise you will develop business focused solutions for your customer areas that ensure fairness, consistency of approach and provide professional and responsive service. 

Our Successful Candidate

You will hold a degree in a relevant field or have demonstrate substantial HR experience with a strong commitment and passion for professional growth. Our successful candidate will undertake and complete the Level 7 People Professional Apprenticeship Programme, ultimately attaining CIPD accreditation. 

Bringing proven operational experience in an HR advisory role within a large, complex, or matrixed organisation, you will have strong employee relations expertise and a sound working knowledge of UK employment law. Experience within Higher Education or a similarly complex environment would be advantageous. 

With a thorough understanding of core HR policies and procedures, including disciplinary, grievance, and absence management, you will demonstrate the confidence and credibility to influence, engage, and deliver a first-class service to managers and stakeholders across the Group. 

Highly organised and adaptable, you will manage priorities effectively, make sound decisions, and demonstrate cultural awareness and an inclusive approach. You will build positive, professional relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. 

The Benefits

As a staff member of Coventry University, you will have a access to a wide range of industry leading rewards and benefits which includes:

• Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
• 30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
• Life Assurance 4 x Salary
• BUPA Cash Plan
• 50% off Tuition Fees for staff dependents
• CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
• Cycle To work scheme

Our Culture

As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.

Full Job Description & Person Specification

Click here to view the full job description and person specification

Apply Now 

Be part of a People Team that’s driving fairness, quality, consistency, and high performance within a global, fast paced, educational group. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting your next step in developing your HR career. 

Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria 

The Level 7 People Professional Apprenticeship has specific criteria set by the apprenticeship scheme that must be met to be eligible: 

•    You’ve lived in England for at least the past three years. 
•    If you’re not a UK national, you must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship, including the End Point

      Assessment (EPA). This could be through a valid visa or pre-settled/settled status (for EU/EEA nationals). 
      Please note: some visa types are not eligible for apprenticeship funding, but Skilled Worker visa holders will be considered individually. 
•    There must be a clear development need between your current skills and those you’ll gain through the programme. This will be assessed during

      the enrolment process. 

If you don’t currently have a GCSE (or equivalent Level 2 qualification) in English or Maths, support will be provided to help you achieve these. 

Your application will be assessed against both the eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship and the criteria for the People Advisor role together.