Employee Relations Advisor

JDSPORTS; Bury; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

JD Sports in the United Kingdom is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor to provide professional, proactive ER support to colleagues across Retail, Gyms, and Head Office. You will deliver generalist advice, maintain GDPR-compliant records, and help ensure policies are applied fairly.

The role requires CIPD Level 5 or equivalent, experience in high-volume ER cases, strong knowledge of employment law, and the ability to coach managers and work flexibly to meet deadlines.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 required; Level 3 possible with strong HR generalist evidence.
• Experience as HR/People Advisor in a retail or fast-paced setting with high-volume caseloads.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and ER policies.
• Proven minute-taking and accurate documentation.
• Excellent communication, influencing skills, stakeholder engagement.
• Office365 and HR Systems experience; Dayforce advantageous.
• Detail-oriented; able to adapt in a changing environment.
• Flexibility to work outside standard hours for 24/7 operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide first line employee relations advice across the Group to Line Managers and colleagues.
• Support and coach Line Managers to resolve employee relations matters to conclusions.
• Assist with meetings and maintain audit trails for GDPR-compliant records.
• Keep up-to-date with employment legislation, best practice and case law.
• Support critical monthly and annual People processes and related tasks.

Skills

CIPD Level 5

HR Generalist

Employee Relations

Employment Law

HR Systems (Dayforce)

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

Office365

HRIS

Dayforce

Job description

Employee Relations Advisor

Responsible to: Employee Relations Senior Advisor

Department: Employee Relations

Location: Bury with travel to Kingsway and other Head Office locations

Role Overview

Deliver a professional, proactive and flexible Employee Relations service by providing appropriate generalist advice and support to all colleagues. Driving best practice and ensuring compliance with all Company policies and procedures in line with employment legislation.

Key Duties/Responsibilities

• To provide practical and effective first line employee relations advice across the Group to Line Managers and colleagues covering Retail, Gyms, Supply Chain and Head Office. This includes (but is not limited to) providing timely and accurate advice with regards to disciplinary, grievance, absence management and family friendly policies.
• Able to manage queries empathetically and in turn communicate outcomes clearly and articulately with the aim of minimising appeals.
• Act as a team player with the wider People team by sharing knowledge and expertise.
• Support and coach Line Managers to effectively manage and resolve employee relations matters through to appropriate conclusions.
• Provide support to Line Managers and the wider People team during meetings.
• Have an excellent working knowledge of up to date employment legislation, best practice and case law.
• Able to work autonomously and prioritise accordingly (with guidance and support from the People Leadership team where required).
• Be able to use Occupational Health appropriately within employee relations casework and write referrals to OH Advisors.
• Communicate with and support the People Leadership team to ensure employee relations policies and procedures are fairly and proportionately applied, whilst identifying opportunities for improvement to current practices.
• Understand the Groups’ responsibilities to statutory regulations.
• Maintain clear audit trails for all People records in accordance with GDPR regulations.
• Support in ensuring that critical monthly and annual cycle People processes are executed within the relevant timescales.
• Assist with project work when required.

Skills/Knowledge Needed:

• CIPD qualified to a minimum of Level 5. Level 3 may be considered if the candidate is able to demonstrate substantial relevant HR generalist based work experience, with a desire to gain Level 5 qualification.
• Previous HR/People Advisor related experience is essential, preferably in a retail environment or another fast-paced, constantly changing People environment, with responsibility for managing high volume complex caseloads.
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and Employee Relations policies and procedures.
• Be comfortable offering advice and minute taking in formal meetings to ensure all interactions are documented accurately and conducted appropriately.
• Good communication skills with the ability to guide and influence and the confidence to challenge current practices appropriately where required.
• Able to communicate clearly and articulately with all stakeholders throughout the business.
• Proficient knowledge of Office365 and HR Systems (Previous experience of Dayforce would be advantageous)
• Accurate typing skills recognising the need for attention to detail.
• Proven experience of working within a constantly changing environment.
• Flexible to work outside of standard office hours if required to support a 24/7 operation.