People Adviser

At Athena, people are at the heart of everything we do. As our People Adviser, you’ll play a key role in supporting our teams to thrive by guiding, advising, and empowering leaders across our homes, central office and regional teams. You’ll be a trusted partner in navigating employee relations, helping to nurture a workplace culture that reflects our values.

About Athena Care Homes:
Athena Care Homes is an award winning, family-owned business operating seven residential care homes in East Anglia where care and compassion runs through to our very core. 

At Athena we celebrate everyone as an individual. Whether that’s delivering authentic care, supporting our team to make moments for our residents and their loved ones, or learning and growing together.

About the role:
As our People Adviser, you’ll be our subject matter expert and trusted voice across all things People and HR related. From employee relations to organisational development and people-focused projects, you’ll be helping to shape the experience of everyone at Athena Care Homes.

You’ll bring clarity, fairness, and empathy into every conversation, ensuring that our values are lived in practice.

Salary:
Up to £40,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience. 

Shift Pattern:
37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, working around the core hours of 9am to 5pm.

Location:
Central Office, Russel House, Basildon, Essex, SS15 6TF – with home working (1 day a week) and occasional travel to our care home locations around East Anglia.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage a diverse Employee Relations caseload, including disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, and capability.
• Work with the Head of People to shape and continuously improve people programmes and initiatives that support a positive, values-led culture.
• Be involved in People-related reporting activity, monitoring trends and risks in areas such as turnover, absence, and employee relations.
• Collaborate with the wider team to implement and deliver key People-related projects, systems improvements, and process enhancements that make a meaningful difference.

Training, Skills & Experience Required:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience). If you’re working to your Level 7 we’ll support you with this and ensure that your work directly benefits your studies…and vice versa!
• Strong, hands-on HR experience in a similar role within a highly regulated environment.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and ACAS guidance.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to balance professionalism, sensitivity, and empathy.
• A values-driven approach – someone who leads with care, supports with confidence, and believes in our people’s potential.

What we can offer:

• Fully comprehensive induction.
• Competitive salary.
• 25 days of holiday per year plus bank holidays.
• Free Blue Light Card & access to the Blue Light discount platform.
• Refer a friend scheme.