Employee Relations Advisor

Somerset Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

LGPS pension scheme

Flexible and hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Paid volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Somerset Council is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to join our County Hall-based team in Taunton. This permanent, full-time role (37 hours/week) offers hybrid working with a minimum of two days on-site, a salary of £38,510 to £43,149 per year, and a supportive environment handling complex casework across education, social care and corporate services.

You will manage disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance matters, advise managers through investigations and hearings,

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex employee relations casework.
• Strong employment law knowledge and sound professional judgement.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supporting restructures, consultations and organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Managing a high caseload of complex employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance matters.
• Supporting and advising managers through investigations, formal hearings, appeals and workplace challenges.
• Advising on restructures and TUPE transfers, consultations and negotiations.
• Building manager capability through coaching, guidance and practical advice.

Skills

ER casework

Employment law

Stakeholder relations

Communication skills

TUPE knowledge

Job description

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Salary: Grade 10 - £38,510 to £43,149 per annum.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, all year round.

Hybrid Working: Minimum 2 days per week at County Hall, Taunton.

Closing Date: 9 November 2026.

Looking for your next Employee Relations challenge?

We're seeking an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to join our small, supportive and highly skilled team at Somerset Council.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an established ER professional who enjoys managing complex casework, building strong relationships with managers and Trade Unions, and providing practical, risk-based advice that makes a real difference.

Working across one of the largest and most diverse organisations in Somerset, you'll support managers through a wide range of employee relations matters, helping us deliver excellent services and value for our residents.

What makes this role particularly exciting is the breadth and variety of services we support. From social care and education to corporate and frontline services, you'll work with a diverse workforce operating under a range of terms and conditions, providing a unique and varied employee relations environment that offers both challenge and professional growth.

What you'll be doing

• Managing a high caseload of complex employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability and attendance matters.
• Supporting and advising managers through investigations, formal hearings, appeals and workplace challenges.
• Advising on restructures
• Supporting TUPE transfers, consultations and negotiations.
• Building manager capability through coaching, guidance and practical advice.

What we're looking for

• Significant experience managing complex employee relations casework.
• Strong employment law knowledge and sound professional judgement.
• Confidence advising, influencing and constructively challenging managers.
• Experience supporting restructures, consultations and organisational change.
• TUPE knowledge and experience of Trade Union consultation and negotiation would be highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.

Why join us?

No two days are the same. You'll work on interesting and varied casework that has a direct impact on the services we provide to Somerset residents. You'll be part of a collaborative team that values expertise, and delivering high-quality support to managers across the Council. If you're an experienced ER professional who enjoys complexity, variety and making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.

The roles are based at County Hall, Taunton, and you will be expected to work from the office a minimum of two days per week and be available to attend face-to-face hearings and meetings. During your induction period, you will be required to attend County Hall more frequently to support your onboarding and training.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Rachael Butt, Employee Relations Manager, at [e-mail] . or Jo Milton Employee Relations Manager at [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.