Employee Relations Advisor

Loughborough University; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

On-site nursery

University benefits

Job summary

Loughborough University is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Adviser. In a hybrid, full-time role (6 months fixed term, with secondment option), you will advise managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance and sickness absence cases, while supporting attendance management and absence procedures.

You will work with the HR team to ensure policy compliance and drive improvements in ER practices, reporting to ER leads as part of a busy, people-centered HR function.

Qualifications

• Experience in HR and employee relations and support for managers.
• Good understanding of employment law and HR best practice.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, performance and sickness absence.
• Support attendance management and sickness absence procedures.
• Prepare case documentation, support investigations and ensure case records are clear and compliant.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of employee relations practices.

Skills

Employee relations

Policy guidance

Disciplinary & grievances

Attendance management

Employment law

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

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

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.