Employee Relations Advisor (Maternity cover)

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement

27 days holiday (pro rata)

Job summary

University of Nottingham invites applications for an Employee Relations Advisor (Maternity cover) within the Employee Relations and Policy area, based at Jubilee Campus. The role focuses on sickness absence management and providing expert guidance to line managers on HR processes while ensuring policy compliance and positive employee experiences.

You will work with a wide range of stakeholders across faculties and support a diverse workforce, contributing to an inclusive workplace where

Qualifications

• Experience in coaching and supporting managers with HR processes.
• Demonstrable experience managing employee relations casework.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, influencing and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate informal resolution discussions and support absence meetings, investigations and hearings.
• Provide guidance on HR policies and practices, including disciplinary, grievance, performance and wellbeing.
• Triangulate advice for managers across the university to navigate people issues compliantly.

Skills

Coaching managers

HR processes

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

Employee Relations Advisor (Maternity cover)

Area
Employee Relations and Policy

Location
Jubilee Campus

Salary
£29,740 to £36,446per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Closing Date
Thursday 12 November 2026

Interview Date
To be confirmed

Reference
HR2604926X1

About the role - We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join our Human Resources department as an Employee Relations Advisor. This role offers an exciting opportunity to support a diverse academic and professional services workforce, helping to foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing working environment across the University. This will be a great opportunity to play a key role in advancing our commitment to positive employee experiences and creating an environment where colleagues can thrive.

As an Employee Relations Advisor, you will supporting a broad range of stakeholders and colleagues across the University on a daily basis, in addition to contributing to key initiatives particularly including sickness absence management predominantly in our Professional Services department. You will partner closely with line managers and stakeholders supporting them to navigate people issues with confidence while ensuring compliance with employment legislation, policies and best practice.

A typical day may involve facilitating informal resolution discussions, supporting formal absence meetings, investigations and hearings and providing key guidance on support and internal policy. You will also triage and provide advice on a range of HR policies and practices, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and wellbeing.

About the team- You will join a collaborative and supportive Employee Relations team within the wider HR function. The team works closely with the leaders and colleagues within various faculties and departments across the university as well as connecting directly with all teams across HR, including HR policy, HR Business Partners, Pay and Reward and Organisational Development.

Our university community is enriched by the diversity of our people, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to succeed. We welcome applications from individuals who share our commitment to inclusivity

About you-We're looking for someone who can bring:

• Experience in coaching and supporting managers with HR Processes


• Demonstrable experience managing employee relations casework.


• Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.


• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.


• Excellent communication, influencing and problem-solving skills.

This is an excellent opportunity for an Employee Relations professional who enjoys working in a varied environment, building trusted partnerships and making a meaningful contribution to the employee experience within higher education.

What we offer:

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment


• A hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working each week


• Generous holiday entitlement of 27 days (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year.


• Our reward scheme grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent work


• We are committed to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities


• You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website

Your working hours will be (36.25 hours per week). We may also consider job share arrangements.

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 9th November 2026.

Please contact Sabrina Richardson ( [e-mail] ) if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .