THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BATH ABBEY WITH ST JAMES, BATH
35,000 - 40,000 per year
Bath Abbey Offices
Full-time
Job Description | HR Advisor
Job Title:
HR Advisor
Salary Range:
£35,000 - £40,000 FTE
£28,000 - £32,000 (based on 32 hrs pw)
Dependent on qualifications / experience
Normal Place of Work:
Bath Abbey Offices (next to the Abbey)
9 Kingston Buildings, Bath
Hours of Work:
32 hours per week
Responsible to:
Executive Director
Bath Abbey
Responsible for:
No direct reports
Bath Abbey is a flourishing parish church in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of
Bath and with this a significant part of the city`s rich heritage which reaches back to Roman
times. Please visit our website on www.bathabbey.org
While the geographical parish has only a small residential population, our congregation is a
gathered community from all over the city, and surrounding area. We also welcome over
350,000 regional, national and international visitors and worshipers. Bath Abbey has around
70 staff (a mix of permanent contract and zero-hour contract staff), over 250 volunteers and
over 450 in its congregations.
Job Purpose
The HR Advisor will be responsible for the Human Resource function within Bath Abbey,
maintaining and implementing HR management practices which supports the organisation’s
performance and strategic aims and objectives. The role will also be responsible for ensuring
that the organisation is legally compliant in relation to all HR matters which arise during the
organisation’s operation. The role will benefit from guidance from an Independent HR
Consultant on more complex matters as and when they arise.
With regards to Safeguarding, the HR Adviser will be responsible for the “safer recruitment”
of staff and volunteers which will involve:
• Maintaining the Abbeys safeguarding records
• The Administration of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) applications (which
includes establishing the identity of potential staff and volunteers)
• Checking and validating information provided by applicants on staff and volunteer
application forms
• Ensuring that appropriate safeguarding training courses are completed by staff and
volunteers
• Liaison with the Parish Safeguarding Officer and Diocesan Safeguarding Manager
REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT
TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org
Charity registration number: 1134081
Key Responsibilities:
1.
Human Resource Management
1.1. Be responsible for the management and day-to-day operation of the Human
Resource function and ensure that it delivers a high-quality service to internal and
external stakeholders as appropriate.
1.2. Provide appropriate advice and guidance to the Abbey Leadership Team on policies,
procedures and employment law.
1.3. Develop, implement and maintain relevant HR management practices, aligning them
to the Abbeys` strategic aims and objectives.
1.4. Provide appropriate support with any HR related projects or procedural changes
within the Abbey
1.5. Provide recommendations on any people initiatives that can be considered to
strengthen organisational performance.
1.6.
Lead on routine or ad hoc HR projects producing proposals, reports and plans as
necessary.
1.7. Monitor, measure and report on any HR related issues and opportunities.
1.8. Ensure that the organisation is compliant with relevant employment legislation
1.9. Work collaboratively with the Bath & Wells Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser to ensure
adherence to the Church of England`s House of Bishop’s guidance on safeguarding
in all its dealings with staff, officeholders and volunteers.
1.10. Liaise with external providers, stakeholders and organisations as appropriate for
benchmarking and best practice examples
1.11. Develop, review and update the Abbey’s HR policies, procedures and handbooks
ensuring that they are compliant with relevant legislation and reflect modern work
practices.
1.12. Coach and support managers within the Abbey with any HR issues that may arise.
1.13. Keep up to date with any employment law changes and communicate impacts of
those changes as necessary.
1.14. Provide information on the current employee benefits for staff.
1.15. Administer payroll and payroll records and keep Accounts apprised of changes.
REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT
TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org
Charity registration number: 1134081
2.
Resourcing & Talent Management
2.1. Oversee the recruitment and selection practices within the Abbey.
2.2. Attend and conduct selection processes alongside line managers when required, as
and when appropriate.
2.3. Construct and assist management in constructing job descriptions, person
specifications and job advertisements and selection days as appropriate.
2.4. Work with the Executive Director and Head of Finance to ensure that organisational
staffing structures reflect the relevant budgets.
2.5. Partner with Heads of Departments to ensure that the staffing structures in the
organisation adequately reflect the needs of the organisation.
2.6. Ensure that resourcing practices and decisions adhere to safer recruitment and equal
opportunity working practices.
2.7.1 Oversee the processing of relevant right to work and background checks including
Disclosure and Barring Service, References and others as appropriate; following the
Abbey’s disclosure processes as necessary
2.7.2 Oversee the onboarding process for employees and liaise with the volunteer co-
ordinator to ensure the operation runs smoothly.
3.
Employee Relations
3.1.
Facilitate and manage all employee relations casework within the organisation
including disciplinary, grievance, appeal, performance management and sickness
processes.
3.2.
Liaise with Occupational Health and support line managers with implementing
feedback and reasonable adjustments where necessary.
3.3. Assist Heads of Department to deliver any other organisational changes which the
organisation may require.
4.
General Responsibilities
4.1. Act as a representative of the Abbey in all dealings with internal and external
agencies and stakeholders maintaining confidentiality and acting as a positive
ambassador and role-model
4.2. Safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, working
within the Abbey’s safeguarding policies and Bath & Wells Diocesan frameworks.
4.3. Ensure that all HR administration, records and files are stored and processed in line
with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation
REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT
TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org
Charity registration number: 1134081
4.4. Provide a diverse and culturally sensitive approach in all dealings with Bath Abbey
and act within the Cathedral’s Equality and Diversity policy and frameworks.
4.5. Promote equality and anti-discriminatory practices within all aspects of HR service
delivery.
4.6. Promote a safe working environment in line with policies on Health and Safety,
highlighting any significant deficiencies to the line manager.
4.7. Act in the interest of the Abbey throughout all dealings with internal and external
stakeholders
4.8. Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required.
This list of tasks is not exclusive and does not form part of any contract of
employment. Duties may be varied from time to time, with the job description being
subject to review or periodic amendments.
Last Updated: September 2025
HR ADVISOR - PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
CIPD Level 3 or 5 qualification in HR Management or equivalent experience.
Comprehensive understanding of employment legislation and ability to apply that
understanding to practical situations.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, including building and maintaining
relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels of the Abbey
Experience of managing employee relations and casework, including handling sometimes
difficult and sensitive situations and formal processes such as disciplinary, grievance and
reviews
Experience in using, maintaining and developing HR systems .
Sympathy with and an understanding of the values and mission of Bath Abbey
Knowledge of / experience in safeguarding matters
Keen eye for details with excellent accuracy and precision.
Ability to extract and analyse data to produce reports and recommendations
Ability to demonstrate commercial perspective to problem solving and taking a pragmatic
approach to decisions.
An awareness of the internal and external environment and ability to work in the best interest
of the Abbey.
Ability to prioritise, manage own workload, and meet deadlines.
Experience in coaching and training managers on good management practice.
Desirable
Experience of dealing with ambiguity.
Experience of working in a church
Experience working in a standalone HR role.
Adaptable and comfortable managing a number of different things at one time
Approachable and has the ability to talk to employees at any level in the business
Able to work as a positive role model to exemplify the Abbey`s values
REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT
TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org
Charity registration number: 1134081
5. Further information
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not
discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age,
veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.
Bath Abbey is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and
vulnerable adults. Applicants must be willing and able to undergo the relevant
preemployment checks including provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK, a full and
complete employment history (including any breaks in employment) and satisfactory
references.
We ask that you send to us your CV and a covering letter. Your covering letter should make
clear to the selection panel how you believe your demonstrable track record makes you a
stand out candidate for this role and also what excites you most about the opportunity.
Should you wish to have an initial confidential discussion about this role, please contact
Frank Mowat, Executive Director in the first instance on 07823-406922 or via email at
FMowat@bathabbey.org
END
REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT
TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org
Charity registration number: 1134081