HR Advisor

Why Porter Dodson?

Porter Dodson is an award-winning Top 200 UK Law Firm, providing commercial and private legal services to individuals and businesses across Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

We're proud of a regional presence that gives clients the local connections and friendly in-person service they love. Being embedded in our local communities and market sectors gives our clients a superb service grounded in the real world.

What makes Porter Dodson a great place to work is our people and our culture. Our team are the lifeblood of the firm, and we are fully committed to ensuring our team are motivated, well cared for, and fulfilling their potential at work. Our people are our priority, which is why we have such excellent staff retention rates and how we have sustained a gold accreditation from Investors in People since 2016.

The Role

We have a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated HR Advisor to join our friendly and supportive HR team. Reporting directly to the Head of HR, this is a varied and interesting role where you will provide a comprehensive and proactive HR service to the firm, supporting operational HR activities and strategic projects.

Based in any of our 7 offices, this is a full-time, permanent position with flexibility to occasionally work from home. The role will also require travel between our southwest offices. We have 7 office locations across Exeter, Wellington, Taunton, Yeovil, Sherborne, Poundbury and Bridport.

Operational HR Support:

• Provide expert advice on complex HR queries, policies, employee relations, and employment law.
• Own key HR processes (absence, performance, disciplinaries, grievances, contract changes, flexible working).
• Coach and support line managers to raise people management capability.

Employee Relations:

• Manage employee relation cases from end to end, advising and influencing managers.
• Ensure confidentiality and compliance with legal frameworks (particularly UK employment law).

Policy & Process Improvement:

• Review, develop, and implement HR policies and procedures in line with legal and business requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline HR processes, digitisation, and data reporting.

Data & Compliance:

• Maintain accurate HR data and implement regular audits for compliance.
• Collate and analyse HR metrics to inform decision-making and support the Head of HR with board reporting.

Support Strategic Initiatives:

• Participate in and sometimes lead on projects linked to the firm’s people strategy (e.g., D&I, wellbeing, engagement, reward, talent management).
• Deputise for the Head of HR and attend meetings as needed.

Learning & Development:

• Support implementation of training programmes; identify development needs via data and ER trends.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Recruitment & Early Careers Manager and HR Assistant to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders across the business.

About You

This role would suit someone who has excellent interpersonal skills and a flexible, warm approach, with the ability to build lasting relationships. The ideal candidate will be part or full CIPD qualified (at any level), have 3-5 years’ HR advisory experience providing support across the full employee lifecycle. More technical requirements include excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft office and Outlook and Excel and HR systems.

Essential Skills and experience:

• Solid operational HR experience (ideally within legal or professional services).
• Strong up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and best practice.
• Track record of owning and resolving a range of employee relations cases, with limited escalation.
• Excellent communicator with strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience supporting (or interest in) HR projects/continuous improvement.
• Confident with HRIS and data reporting.

Desirable:

• Experience of leading small projects or initiatives.
• Exposure to HR strategy and demonstrable ambition to develop into HR leadership.
• Prior experience in a law firm or similar regulated environment.
• CIPD or working towards.

Behaviours:

• Proactive self-starter, accountable, and solution-focused.
• Discreet and professional, with sound judgement.
• Growth mindset and openness to feedback.
• Collaborative, approachable and team focussed.

The Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, this role will offer mentoring and regular development reviews. Opportunity to take on additional strategic projects and deputise at a senior level, and a clear development pathway to a more senior HR position within 3-4 years.

You will also get:

• Flexible Working
• 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
• Extra Day of Holiday for your Birthday
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme(s)
• Life Assurance
• Eye Tests
• Flu Jabs
• Corporate Gym Membership Discounts
• Legal Support
• Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials