Employee Relations Advisor

Ashley Kate HR & Finance; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Nicholas Associates Group is partnering with a large public sector organisation to recruit an experienced Employee Relations Advisor on a fixed-term basis until March 2027. The role is hands-on ER support for managers in a highly regulated environment, handling diverse cases and ensuring policy compliance.

You will support around 1,400 staff (with TUPE growth) and handle disciplinary, grievance, absence management and investigations, guiding managers through hearings and appeals.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as an ER Advisor, Senior HR Advisor or Employee Relations Specialist.
• Strong employee relations experience across disciplinary, grievance, absence management and capability processes.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations.
• Good working knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience operating within a unionised environment.

Responsibilities

• Managing a varied employee relations caseload from initial advice through to conclusion.
• Advising managers on disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
• Supporting complex and long-term sickness absence cases.
• Conducting investigations and producing investigation reports.
• Advising managers throughout formal hearings and appeals.
• Providing guidance on employment law, policy and HR best practice.
• Building effective working relationships with managers across the business.
• Working within a highly unionised environment and supporting consultation processes where required.

Skills

Employee relations

Disciplinary

Grievance handling

Absence management

UK employment law

Unionised environment

Job description

Employee Relations Advisor (Fixed-Term Contract)
7-Month Fixed-Term Contract Hybrid Working Competitive Salary
We are partnering with a large and highly respected organisation within the Public sector to recruit an experienced Employee Relations Advisor on a fixed-term basis until the end of March 2027.
This opportunity has arisen due to increased demand within the People Team as the organisation prepares for a significant TUPE programme next year. As a result, they are seeking an additional pair of hands to support what is already a busy employee relations function.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ER Advisor or HR Advisor who enjoys managing complex casework in a structured and highly regulated environment.

Employee Relations Advisor - The Role

Supporting a workforce of approximately 1,400 employees, with a further 300 employees expected to join through TUPE, you'll be responsible for providing expert employee relations advice and guidance to managers across the organisation.
This is not a strategic HRBP role. Instead, the focus is firmly on hands-on employee relations support, helping managers navigate a range of often complex and long-running cases while ensuring policies and procedures are followed correctly.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied employee relations caseload from initial advice through to conclusion.
• Advising managers on disciplinary, grievance and capability matters.
• Supporting complex and long-term sickness absence cases.
• Conducting investigations and producing investigation reports.
• Advising managers throughout formal hearings and appeals.
• Providing guidance on employment law, policy and HR best practice.
• Building effective working relationships with managers across the business.
• Working within a highly unionised environment and supporting consultation processes where required.
• Ensuring all cases are managed thoroughly, consistently and in line with robust internal procedures.

Employee Relations Advisor - About You

We're looking for an experienced employee relations professional who is comfortable handling complex casework and confident influencing managers in challenging situations.
You'll likely have:

• Previous experience as an ER Advisor, Senior HR Advisor or Employee Relations Specialist.
• Strong employee relations experience across disciplinary, grievance, absence management and capability processes.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations.
• Good working knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience operating within a unionised environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A meticulous and process-driven approach.
• The confidence to challenge and support managers appropriately.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to join a large, complex and values-driven organisation.
• Interesting and varied employee relations caseload.
• Highly supportive HR team.
• Exposure to large-scale organisational change and TUPE activity.
• Hybrid working.
• Fixed-term contract through to March 2027.

Salary dependant on experience

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.