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HR Advisor

Date:  5 May 2026
Company:  CAF Rail UK
Location: 

BIRMINGHAM, GB

ABOUT CAF

 

Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast-paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community.

 

Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers.

 

Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be!

 

We wouldn’t be where we are without our people. Working together as a team, we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way. We’re going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.

 

What can you expect from CAF?

 

  • Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
  • Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
  • Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
  • Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
  • Cutting-edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

 

What will be you role in the company?

 

The HR Advisor supports the HR Business Partner / Senior HRBP in supporting and advising a range of stakeholders and managers across different areas of the UK business. A first point of contact for stakeholder in relation to HR issues, questions and queries you will provide sound advice in line with policies, processes and collective agreements.

 

The role requires someone to be proactive, pragmatic and a multi-tasker who is adept at delivering in a unionised environment.

 

Your daily duties will include:

 

  • A primary point of contact for advising stakeholders with regards to HR processes such as performance management, absence management and people management (flexible working, family friendly etc).
  • Supporting line managers (of varying abilities) across the business through a range of ER disputes through coaching, training, upskilling as well as guiding them through the challenges – experienced in supporting manages whose capability ranges from novice to experienced.
  • Involvement in developing, implementing and maintaining HR policies and procedures to ensure effective, fair and consistent management of colleagues throughout CAF, and ensure that the associated documents (including colleague handbook) are comprehensive and up to date. Successful deployment will involve working with trade union representatives and managers to ensure understanding and consistency of deployment.
  • Supporting HR & Support services colleagues to manage processes such as recruitment, internal communication / engagement and payroll to a high standard.
  • Involvement in maintaining relevant systems as well as producing insightful HR reports, sharing the information with stakeholders as required and making decisions to drive improvement.
  • Facilitating local-level trade union meetings and supporting the HR team in ‘business council’ meetings, consultations and negotiations.
  • Support HR colleagues in deploying various CAF Group initiatives and processes such as engagement activities, deployment of various SAF Success Factor modules, etc.

 

What will be your salary in this role?

 

As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a salary between £40,000 and £45,000 per annum. 

 

What will make you successful in this position?

 

To succeed in this role you will need:

 

  • CIPD Qualified to Level 5 is required (or qualified by similar professional experience)
  • Proven previous experience in advising stakeholders with regards to HR processes such as performance management, absence management and people management (flexible working, family friendly etc).
  • Experience in supporting line managers through a range of ER disputes through coaching, training, upskilling as well as guiding them through the challenges – experienced in supporting manages whose capability ranges from novice to experienced.
  • Up to date Employment law knowledge and the ability to translate this into policies /, processes as well as coaching/training line managers on its practical implementation.
  • Previous experience of working within a Trade Unions environment is essential – ability to adapt an approach to ensure successful collaboration with TU partners is key.
  • An understanding of a services business, where customer demands/requirements must be balanced and met and where this can lead to particular challenges for your company, your stakeholders, and the support you provide to them.
  • IT skills; Adept at working with multiple systems, strong use of MS Office products such as PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.
  • Any experience of SAP Success factors would be desirable.

 

 

ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER 

 

A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF.

 

Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few!

 

Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF. 

 

As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree-planting, company-wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!

 

Apply now »