Employee Relations Business Partner

Arriva Group; Thurmaston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva Group is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Partner to shape and steer ER across UK depots. You will guide leaders and managers on complex matters, influence stakeholders, and deliver proactive, risk-aware solutions that support both people and business goals.

You’ll lead investigations, advise on disciplinaries and grievances, coach teams, and analyze ER data to spot trends. A strategic role with significant stakeholder interaction and change initiatives.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an Employee Relations role handling complex and sensitive ER cases.
• Proven experience working in a unionised environment and building effective relationships with Trade Union representatives.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application.
• Excellent coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical capability with experience producing ER metrics, trend analysis, and management reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into complex and high-risk employee relations cases with fair, consistent outcomes and reduced risk.
• Provide expert guidance on disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and performance issues.
• Support and coach HR and management teams on ER challenges.
• Analyse ER data to identify trends and provide management information.
• Develop policies, guidance, and initiatives in response to ER trends.
• Embed proactive case management frameworks with a risk-based approach to resolutions.
• Drive improvements to ER case files and data to cut volumes and improve efficiency.
• Foster strong relationships with operational leaders, HR colleagues, and Trade Union reps.

Skills

Employee Relations

Union relations

UK Employment Law

Stakeholder Management

ER Metrics

Job description

Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional looking to make a real impact in a complex and fast-paced environment?

We’re looking for an Employee Relations Partner to play a pivotal role in shaping positive employee relations across our UK depots. This is an exciting opportunity to provide expert guidance on complex ER matters, influence key stakeholders, and drive proactive solutions that support both our people and business objectives.

Working closely with leaders, HR colleagues, and Trade Union representatives, you’ll help create a culture where employee relations issues are effectively managed, risks are mitigated, and managers are empowered to make informed decisions.

As an Employee Relations Partner, you will:

• Lead investigations into complex and high-risk employee relations cases, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes while minimising business risk.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on a range of ER matters including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and performance issues.
• Support and coach HR and management teams on complex employee relations challenges.
• Analyse employee relations data, identify trends, and provide meaningful management information and insights.
• Develop and implement strategies, policies, manager guidance, and initiatives in response to emerging ER trends.
• Introduce and embed proactive case management frameworks, taking a risk-based approach to case resolution.
• Drive process improvements for managing ER case files and data, helping to reduce case volumes and improve efficiency.
• Build strong working relationships with operational leaders, HR colleagues, and Trade Union representatives to foster positive employee relations.
• Support organisational change programmes and wider people initiatives across the business.
• Promote manager ownership and accountability for employee relations issues.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law and HR best practice to ensure compliance and minimise risk.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• Significant experience in an Employee Relations role, handling complex and sensitive ER cases.
• Proven experience working in a unionised environment and building effective relationships with Trade Union representatives.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application.
• Excellent coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• A commercially focused approach with sound judgement and the confidence to make balanced decisions.
• The ability to share knowledge, challenge constructively, and drive best practice.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Analytical capability with experience producing ER metrics, trend analysis, and management reporting.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications and HR systems.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to take a strategic and influential role within employee relations, helping to shape how ER is managed across the business. You’ll work with a wide range of stakeholders, contribute to meaningful change initiatives, and play a key role in creating a positive employee experience.

If you’re passionate about employee relations and thrive on solving complex people challenges, we’d love to hear from you.