People Advisor

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

The People Team is a fast-paced, delivery-focused function that works closely with teams and leaders across the Institute to support a high-performing and engaged workforce.

The People Advisor role, reporting to the Head of People, is the first level of advisory support within the UK People Team. You will work directly with managers and employees, providing clear, practical guidance on day-to-day people matters and supporting the delivery of core People processes.

This role is focused on building strong foundations in advisory work. You will take ownership of straightforward to moderately complex cases, apply policy and judgement, and know when to escalate or seek support. Alongside this, you will contribute to People projects and continuous improvement activity.

This role will suit someone with some experience in a People, HR or operational environment who is ready to step into a more hands-on advisory role and build confidence working directly with stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Advisory & Employee Relations

• Act as a first point of contact for managers and employees on day-to-day people matters, providing clear and practical advice.
• Manage straightforward employee relations cases end-to-end (e.g. probation, absence, basic performance and conduct issues), with support on more complex cases.
• Support more senior colleagues on complex ER matters (e.g. disciplinaries, grievances), contributing to documentation, preparation and follow-up actions.
• Apply People policies and processes consistently, using judgement and escalating where appropriate.

Employee Lifecycle & Process Delivery

• Take ownership of key People processes, ensuring they are delivered consistently and to a high standard.
• Support managers through employee lifecycle activity, including onboarding, probation, performance management and exits.
• Work closely with the People Co-ordinator to ensure smooth handovers between administration and advisory activity.
• Ensure all documentation and case management is accurate, timely and well-structured.

Stakeholder Support

• Build effective working relationships with managers across the business, becoming a trusted point of contact for day-to-day support.
• Provide clear, confident and pragmatic guidance, adapting your approach to different stakeholders.
• Support managers in applying People processes effectively and consistently.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to People Team projects and initiatives, supporting delivery and implementation.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and ways of working, and support changes in practice.
• Use data and insight to support People Team activity and decision-making.

Data, Systems & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Workday and other systems.
• Use people data to inform decisions and highlight trends or issues.
• Ensure all activity is compliant with internal processes and relevant employment frameworks.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in a People, HR, operations or similar role with exposure to employee lifecycle activity.
• Some experience of handling or supporting employee relations matters.
• Ability to apply policy and guidance to real situations, using sound judgement.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to work directly with managers and employees.
• Well organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on actions.
• High attention to detail and a structured approach to work.
• Comfortable working with systems and data.
• Professional and discreet when handling sensitive information.

Desirable

• Experience in an HR advisory or generalist role.
• Familiarity with UK employment practices.
• Experience using HR systems (e.g. Workday).
• Exposure to working in a fast-paced or complex organisation.
• Interest in developing broader People/HR capability

Closing Date: