Law advisor jobs in bristol

Are you a talented People Business Partner looking for a new challenge working for a fantastic national charity? 

I am excited to be partnering with the UK’s leading domestic abuse charity, to recruit an experienced and values driven People Business Partner. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a mission led organisation and support the development of a high performing, inclusive workplace.

This position is mainly remote with very occasional attendance to their Head Office in central London. You will be part of a small but friendly and supportive HR team. This is an operational HR opportunity paying a salary of £40,080.The role will report into the Senior People Business Partner, who is fantastic at developing their direct reports and allowing them to grow in their role. The successful candidate will act as a trusted HR advisor to designated teams, supporting a wide range of employee relations issues, recruitment activity, organisational change, and policy development.

Some of the key responsibilities of this People Business Partner role include:

• Business partnering with key directorates, understanding their unique needs and delivering tailored people solutions
• Providing expert support across employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance
• Managing and supporting recruitment processes in line with safer recruitment practices
• Advising on and implementing organisational change processes, including TUPE transfers
• Coaching and supporting managers in day-to-day HR matters and long-term people development
• Supporting onboarding, induction and HR project delivery
• Contributing to policy reviews, system improvements, and reporting processes
• Championing the organisations values, including equity, diversity, and inclusion

The ideal candidate will be a proven HR generalist, ideally with experience from working in the charity sector, along with a strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, a proactive, solutions-focused approach, and experience in managing or mentoring others. A values driven mindset and a strong commitment EDI is essential. It would be very advantageous for the People Business Partner tobe CIPD qualified (or have the equivalent experience). 

This is a unique opportunity to work for a sector leading organisation with a powerful social mission. You’ll be part of a collaborative, forward thinking People & Culture team, where your work directly contributes to improving the lives of women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

The interview process will involve a two-stages, with both interviews being held over MS Teams.

If you’re an experienced HR professional looking to make a meaningful impact in the not-for-profit sector, please get in touch.

The Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) supports the Director of Operations and Development (DOD) in ensuring the smooth, compliant, and strategic functioning of the ELSC across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, Netherlands, and Germany.

The DDO line-manages the Finance and Human Resources Managers and provides operational leadership in compliance, finance, HR, coordination, and employee engagement.

The ELSC has four departments (Legal, Monitor & Research, Advocacy & Communications, and Operations & Development) and five work teams (Britain, Netherlands, Germany, EU, Crimes and Complicity).

The DDO coordinates staff gatherings and internal engagement, including planning the annual in-person all-staff event, managing logistics for departmental and work team meetings, and supporting cross-departmental collaboration.

The role also assists the Director of Operations and Development with meeting facilitation and agenda development, co-facilitates weekly remote all-staff meetings, and supports the coordination of the monthly staff assembly.

This role requires exceptional organisational, interpersonal, time-management, and analytical skills.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrable experience in a senior operations and/or compliance role (5+ years).
• Experience with Finance, Governance, and Human Resources.
• Strong understanding of British, Dutch, and German legal and organisational frameworks (or ability to acquire this quickly).
• Experience organising events, preferably in more than one jurisdiction.
• Experience with line-management.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated skills in managing HR and Finance functions.
• Demonstrated skills in line-managing a remote team and excellent interpersonal communications.
• Proficiency in English with excellent written and spoken communication skills (English is the working language of the ELSC).
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of the political and human rights situation in Palestine.
• Facilitation proficiency, both remotely and in in-person events.
• Teamwork skills and flexibility; ability to manage time and competing priorities according to organisational needs.
• Highly organised, strong attention to detail, driven, with excellent strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritise and delegate tasks and manage a busy workload.
• Commitment to anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and equal opportunities.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional unsocial hours as required.
• Flexibility within the broad remit of the post.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Graduate in Business Administration, Law, Human Resources, Public Policy, Public Administration, Sociology, or other relevant fields.
• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Basic knowledge of International and European law.
• Proficiency in German, Dutch, or Arabic.

MAIN DUTIES AND TASKS

Management

• Line manage Finance Manager and Human Resources Manager.
• Schedule regular 1:1 meetings with direct reports, provide guidance on division of tasks, and monitor workload.
• Support direct reports in the implementation of Finance and HR strategy.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance for ELSC entities in the Netherlands, Britain, and Germany.
• Ensure Dutch insurance compliance and associated operational requirements.
• Review and monitor payroll monthly.
• Lead the establishment of a German legal entity, working with external advisors as needed.
• Oversee the British office operations, including the evaluation of office space.
• Conduct a review of office costs and usage.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Senior Legal Committee where needed, including facilitation and documentation.

Staff Coordination

• Plan and oversee the in-person all-staff gathering (2026) in coordination with the ELSC executive management team.
• Coordinate the logistics of annual departmental gatherings.
• Organise Work Team gatherings, supporting cross-departmental collaboration.
• Support the Director of Operations (DOD) with facilitation and agenda development for internal meetings.
• Facilitate 50% of Remote All-Staff Meetings (60min, weekly).
• Support the coordination of Monthly Staff Assemblies.

People & HR

• Oversee HR policy implementation and delivery of the annual People Strategy.
• Support the HR Manager in leading HR operations and in the recruitment and induction of new staff.
• Oversee the development of an Organisational Handbook.
• Review and improve the performance review process.
• Establish promotion guidelines to create transparent career progression pathways.
• Maintain and update the Organisational Chart quarterly.
• Review the Organisational Wiki (“The Fridge”) yearly.

Finance

• Oversee ELSC financial operations.
• Support the Finance Manager, providing oversight and strategic direction.
• Ensure effective operation of the Finance Committee, led by the Finance Manager.
• Review and distribute monthly financial reports to Department Heads via the Finance Committee.
• Ensure monthly financial summaries are reported to Work Teams through the Senior Legal Committee.
• Oversee completion of the organisational audit.
• Support short-term investment strategies.
• Monitor and report on operational budgets, ensuring accountability and fiscal responsibility across departments.
• Liaise and coordinate with the ELSC Treasurer Board member.

Training

• Standardise training and qualifications frameworks across departments to ensure transparency, fairness, and consistency in line with the ELSC Pay & Benefits Scale.
• Lead investment in staff training and development initiatives to strengthen organisational capacity.
• Support the qualification and professional development of junior legal staff through structured learning pathways in three jurisdictions with the support of the Director of the Legal Department.

Head of Finance

Location: Bath (minimum of 4 days in the office)

Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week, Monday–Friday)

Salary: Up to £65K (dependant on skills and experience)

About St John’s Foundation

St John’s Foundation is one of Bath’s oldest charities, supporting individuals and communities for over 850 years. Today, we continue to make a lasting difference across Bath and North East Somerset by helping people to live independent, fulfilling lives and by working to build stronger, more resilient communities.

As we continue to evolve, we are investing in modern systems, governance and talent to ensure we can deliver lasting social impact with integrity, efficiency, and purpose.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to join our team. This role will  play a pivotal role in ensuring the long term financial health and sustainability of St John’s Foundation and its trading subsidiaries.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will lead and take responsibility for our day-to-day financial operations and manage a dedicated team of finance professionals. You will ensure robust financial control, accurate reporting, and effective systems that underpin the charity’s strategic ambitions and operational delivery.

This is a senior, operational leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape our financial systems, guide a talented team, and contribute directly to our mission. You will also manage  the next phase of our finance system implementation.

What You’ll Do

· Manage the finance team, ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting and high standards of control.

· Manage all aspects of financial management — including cashflow, balance sheet integrity, and statutory reporting.

· Lead on the statutory reporting and oversee budget setting and management accounts.

· Manage the next phase of our finance system implementation, embedding process improvements and digital innovation.

· Support the Finance Director with governance, risk management, and strategic financial planning.

· Manage investment and endowment accounting, ensuring compliance and effective performance monitoring.

· Provide insightful analysis and reporting to the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced senior finance professional who combines technical expertise with strong leadership skills.

You will have:

· A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).

· Proven significant experience in senior finance leadership, including management accounts, budgeting, and statutory reporting.

· Strong technical knowledge of accounting standards and charity finance (including restricted and endowment funds). 

· Demonstrable strong knowledge of financial controls, accounting standards, and (ideally) charity finance.

· Proven experience managing or implementing finance systems or digital transformation projects.

· Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust across all levels.

· A collaborative, proactive, and improvement-focused approach.

Desirable:

· Experience within the not-for-profit or charity sector.

· Knowledge of property and investment accounting.

· Familiarity with cloud-based finance systems.

Why Join Us?

Joining St John’s means becoming part of a long-standing Bath charity that puts people at the heart of everything it does. Your work will directly support older adults and people in financial need, and you’ll be part of a friendly, collaborative team that cares about doing things well and doing them with trust, courage and kindness.

Unseen is working towards a world without slavery. We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. We also run the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, businesses, governments, other charities, and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good. 

Location: Unseen’s head office in Bristol (Hybrid approach with some working from home days. A degree of flexibility will be required)

Salary: £39,000 - £45,000 per annum (£65,000 - £75,000 FTE)

Contract Type: Permanent, Part-time (3 days /0.6 FTE)

Purpose of the role:

Reporting to the CEO as part of the Senior Leadership Team, the role of Director of Finance exists to maximise the effective deployment of Unseen’s resources in pursuit of the charity’s mission. The Director’s primary objective is to drive improvements in efficiency and value for money, optimising how the organisation’s human and financial resources, and physical and virtual infrastructures are utilised to achieve the greatest impact for survivors and stakeholders.

In essence, the Director of Finance will act as Unseen’s chief financial strategist – ensuring financial sustainability and growth, compliance and accountability, while continuously enhancing internal processes and resource allocation. By delivering excellent financial oversight, proactive risk management, and effective operational support, this role enables Unseen’s front-line teams and programs to flourish. The post-holder will balance professionalism and rigour with empathy and a genuine commitment to Unseen UK’s vision of a world without slavery.

To apply: 

• Please complete the application form attached. This includes a personal statement of 500 words outlining your suitability for the role, and;
• Please send a copy of your CV to jobs @ unseenuk. org with reference to the job title.

The deadline for applications is midnight on 4 January 2026.

Interviews will likely be held during the week of 12 January 2026.

Kindly note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy if we reach the requisite number of applications. If you’re interested in the role, we would encourage you to apply early.

As an organisation focused on equality and diversity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community and all backgrounds, including those with a lived experience of modern slavery, those from ethnic minority groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community. 

Any questions, please contact jobs @ unseenuk. org.