Employee Relations Advisor

Hightown; Hemel Hempstead; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Annual performance-related bonus

Monthly attendance bonus

Salary and cost-of-living reviews

Life assurance

Blue Light Card discounts

Ongoing training and development

On-site gym

Hybrid working

Job summary

Hightown is seeking an Employee Relations Advisor to join our HR team in a role that supports managers across the organisation on employee relations matters. You will provide practical advice, coach managers, and help shape policies to drive fair treatment and continuous improvement.

Join us to deliver high-quality ER services, ensure consistent processes, and contribute to wellbeing and policy initiatives within a supportive, hybrid-working environment.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 3 or equivalent is required.
• Experience providing HR advice, ideally in an employee relations environment.
• Confident coaching and influencing managers at all levels.
• Organised and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support managers on a wide range of ER matters, including absence, performance, probation, and flexible working.
• Coach and develop managers to build confidence in people management.
• Provide expert guidance through formal and informal HR processes, ensuring fairness and best practice.
• Draft and review ER documentation, reports, and correspondence.
• Support policy development and HR projects with a focus on compliance and improvement.
• Lead or contribute to HR projects and organisational initiatives.
• Maintain accurate ER case records and manage workflows in the HR system.
• Advise on occupational health referrals, reasonable adjustments, and wellbeing support.

Skills

CIPD Level 3

HR advisory

Coaching managers

Multitasking

Communication

Attention to detail

Customer-focused

Education

CIPD Level 3 or above

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Make a Difference Through Great People Management

Are you passionate about helping managers navigate people matters with confidence? Do you enjoy building strong relationships, providing practical advice and making a real impact on the employee experience?

We are looking for an Employee Relations Advisor to join our friendly and supportive HR team at Hightown. This is a fantastic opportunity to work across a diverse organisation, supporting managers on a wide range of employee relations matters while helping to shape best practice and drive continuous improvement.

No two days are the same. From coaching managers through complex employee relations cases to contributing to policy development and HR projects, you will play a key role in ensuring our people are supported, treated fairly and able to thrive.

What You Will Be Doing

As our Employee Relations Advisor, you will provide a high-quality, customer-focused ER service across the organisation by:

• Advising and supporting managers on a wide range of employee relations matters, including absence management, performance, probation, flexible working and casework.
• Coaching and developing managers to build confidence and capability in people management.
• Providing expert guidance throughout formal and informal HR processes, ensuring consistency, fairness and best practice.
• Drafting and reviewing documentation, reports and correspondence related to ER cases.
• Supporting the development and review of HR policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance and continuous improvement.
• Leading or contributing to HR projects and organisational initiatives.
• Maintaining accurate case records and managing ER workflows within the HR system.
• Advising on occupational health referrals, reasonable adjustments and colleague wellbeing support.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• CIPD Level 3 qualified (or above), or equivalent
• Experienced in providing HR advice, ideally within an employee relations environment.
• Confident coaching and influencing managers at all levels.
• Organised and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• An excellent communicator with a collaborative and customer-focused approach.
• Detail-oriented, producing high-quality and accurate work.
• Positive, proactive and solutions focused.
• Committed to Hightown's values and delivering an outstanding colleague experience.
• A driving licence would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why Join Hightown?

At Hightown, our people are at the heart of everything we do. When you join us, you will become part of an organisation that genuinely values its employees, invests in their development and provides opportunities to grow your career.

Our benefits include:

• 33 days' annual leave including bank holidays, increasing with service
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Monthly attendance bonus
• Regular salary and cost-of-living reviews
• Life assurance at three times annual salary
• Blue Light Card discounts at hundreds of retailers
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Access to an on-site gym
• Hybrid working arrangements

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident Employer.