Senior HR Advisor

Senior HR Advisor

Location: Rochester Cathedral

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week.

Salary: £35,000 per annum

Closing Date: Midnight 27 November 2026.

About Rochester Cathedral

Here, down the centuries, the Christian faith has found expression through worship, prayer and service. We continue to participate in God's love for the world today through mission and purposeful engagement. Our Strategic Development Plan seeks to enhance the Cathedral's desire to nurture human flourishing and become more Christ-like in our attitudes and daily living. The Cathedral Chapter has identified three key areas which will be our main focus for greater resilience and provide a springboard for future development.

• Remain true to our Benedictine tradition by ensuring that all are welcome, and everyone is valued.
• Grow communities of hope through prayer, worship and learning.
• Grow a more sustainable working culture that honours our responsibility for our land, buildings and people.

Our Strategic Plan recognises the importance the Cathedral plays in the lives of many people, of all faiths and of none, both as a historic landmark and as a holy place. It seeks to work alongside other partners and stakeholders in enabling the Cathedral to be a truly inclusive space which signposts the Kingdom of God.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior HR Advisor to provide a comprehensive HR service across the Cathedral, supporting managers and employees throughout the employee lifecycle. The postholder is responsible for HR administration, employee relations support, recruitment, payroll liaison, learning and development coordination, HR reporting and the maintenance of accurate employee records, ensuring legal compliance and the effective delivery of HR services.

The Senior HR Advisor works closely with managers, finance colleagues and external advisers to support the effective management and development of employees across the Cathedral.

All Cathedral employees are expected to work as a team to ensure the Cathedral fulfils its mission.

A Basic DBS check will be required for this post

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of HR policies, procedures and employment legislation
• Ability to interpret and apply employment legislation and HR policies in a practical working environment
• Ability to analyse workforce information and produce meaningful management reports
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to advise managers and employees on HR matters professionally and confidently
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Good problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• IT literacy, including experience with Microsoft Office and HR systems.
• Knowledge of recruitment, employee relations, and absence management processes.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles

Essential Qualifications/Experience:

• CIPD knowledge or awareness of HR best practices
• CIPD Level 3 - Level 5 qualification (or working towards)
• Previous experience working in an HR advisory or HR generalist role
• Experience supporting employee relations cases
• Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management processes.
• Experience of drafting employment-related correspondence and documentation.
• Experience of recruitment and onboarding processes
• Experience maintaining accurate HR records and systems

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Rochester Cathedral, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Rochester Cathedral is committed to Safer Recruiting and working practices in line with the Church of England Safer Recruitment and People Management Code of Practice.