We are proud to have built an independent media organisation that retains and promotes talent. Having grown from a small team of volunteers to a professional workplace of 26 staff and an extended network of freelancers, we are now looking for an HR Advisor to support our committed team of directors in ensuring Novara Media is a great place to work. 

This pivotal leadership role will work closely with directors, line managers, our operations manager and the wider team to foster a healthy and efficient workplace. 

You’ll be a safe pair of hands and levelling presence that all staff can turn to for expert support and guidance. 

Rather than taking on the day to day admin of contract management and policy writing, you will function as a strategic consultant, able to apply your expert knowledge of HR best practice and employment law to our unique context. 

This will include supporting the directors in running the organisation, advising staff on their rights and the support available to them, suggesting improvements to our HR systems and troubleshooting any issues. You will be a confident mediator.

You will also have an excellent understanding of unions and be able to guide the developing relationship between directors and our recognised union, the NUJ. 

We particularly encourage people from traditionally under-represented backgrounds to apply.

If you have questions about the role please email [email protected].

Key responsibilities

• Advise directors and line managers on professional standards and best practice.
• Offer confidential advice to staff on our policies, employment law, the resources available to them and how best to use organisational processes to bring about constructive resolutions.
• Guide directors in working cooperatively with Novara’s recognised union, including by being a font of knowledge on best practice and normal protocol. This will include working within our agreed negotiating structures and recognition agreement.
• Supervise other staff in writing policy and handling HR admin. 
• Confidently and competently support directors and line managers in capability processes or disciplinaries. 

Person specification

• A thorough understanding of HR best practice and employment law.
• More than five years experience in the HR and/or Trade Union sector.
• Experience of working with unions or in unionised workplaces.
• Commitment to the aims and values of Novara Media
• Able to handle stressful and pressurised situations such as disciplinaries, capability processes, interpersonal and political conflict.
• An open minded approach to our workplace structures and a willingness to adapt to work within it. 
• Empathetic, level, fair and diplomatic. 
• Confident mediator.

Details

Location: Flexible – you must be available to travel to our London office from time to time, but do not necessarily have to be based there. 

Hours: Part time – 16 hours per week.

Pay: £17,472 per annum (actual, equivalent to £21 per hour), expected to rise to £17,888 in October 2025. 

Benefits

• Flat pay structure*
• Professional development opportunities
• Creative and comradely work environment

How to apply

Applicants should prepare a CV and a supporting statement of up to 400 words explaining why they’re a great hire for this role, and for NM.

Submit your application via our secure recruitment portal.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews to be held remotely on the 16 or 17 July. We may do a second round of interviews if we feel it is necessary.

Closing date: 9 July 2025