Employee Relations Adviser

Loughborough University; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Campus facilities

Hybrid working

Pension schemes

Health offers

Sustainable travel

Job summary

Loughborough University is seeking an experienced HR professional to join our Employee Relations team as an Adviser on a 6-month fixed-term contract (full-time). Hybrid working is available.

You will provide guidance to managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance and sickness absence cases and help to shape sickness absence management approaches. Reporting to the Employee Relations Business Partner, you will manage a varied caseload, prepare case documentation, support investigations and

Qualifications

• HR and employee relations experience with exposure to disciplinary, grievance and sickness absence cases.
• Understanding of employment law and best practice; ability to advise managers.
• Proactive, organized and able to handle sensitive situations with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters.
• Support attendance management and absence procedures.
• Prepare case documentation, support investigations, and promote policy compliance.

Skills

Employee relations

Disciplinary

Grievance

Absence management

Employment law

CIPD Level 5

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title Employee Relations Adviser Job reference REQ260695 Date posted 23/09/2026 Application closing date 05/10/2026 Location Loughborough Package Administrative Services grade 5 from £29588 to £34610 per annum. Subject to annual pay award. Job description

Full Time, Fixed term for 6 months to cover maternity leave (or earlier return of the postholder).

This opportunity is also available as secondment.

Hybrid working available

We are seeking an experienced HR Professional to help deliver a positive employee experience through professional, practical, and people-centred employee relations support.

As an Employee Relations Adviser, you will provide advice and guidance to managers on a range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and sickness absence cases. A key focus of the role will be supporting managers to effectively manage attendance, providing practical guidance on absence procedures, and helping to shape and improve the University's approach to sickness absence management.

Working within a collaborative HR team, you will support the fair and consistent application of policies, promote early resolution approaches, and ensure compliance with employment legislation and University procedures.

Reporting to an Employee Relations Business Partner and working closely with the Employee Relations Manager, you will manage a varied caseload, prepare case documentation and correspondence, support investigations, and contribute to the continuous improvement of employee relations practices across the University.

About You

• If you have some experience in HR and employee relations and are looking to further develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic environment, we'd love to hear from you.

• You will have experience of supporting managers with a range of employee relations matters, such as disciplinary, grievance, performance, and sickness absence cases, and be keen to build your knowledge and confidence across a wider range of people issues.

• You will have a good understanding of employment law and HR best practice, along with strong communication and relationship-building skills. Organised and proactive, you'll be able to manage a varied workload, balance competing priorities and handle sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion

• You will hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or be working towards it), or have equivalent relevant experience.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about delivering a positive employee experience and supporting an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

For more information please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

For an informal discussion please contact Heather Skyes, Employee Relations Business Partner on [e-mail]

Closing date for applications: Monday 5 October 2026

Interview date: Thursday 15 October 2026

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community.

Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.