Employee Relations Partner

The Methodist Church in Britain; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary review

Performance-related increases

Discretionary pay awards

28–40 days holiday including service

Pension with employer contribution

Healthcare cash plan

Life assurance

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work

Job summary

Link Group, a social enterprise, is seeking an Employee Relations Partner to provide expert ER guidance within the HR team. The role leads complex case management across dismissals, appeals and Employment Tribunal considerations, and supports organisational change including redundancy and TUPE.

It also oversees job evaluation and HR policy development through audits and data analysis. The successful candidate will require CIPD Level 5 or equivalent experience, plus the ability to travel between

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of leading investigations, case management and maintaining documentation and audit trails.
• Experience implementing or enhancing employee relations systems, processes, reporting and management information.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert employee relations advice and lead case management of complex matters, including dismissals and appeals.
• Lead and manage the job evaluation service, including governance, quality assurance, training, supplier management and grading advice.
• Work with managers, trade unions and employee representatives on consultation, restructuring, redundancy and TUPE.
• Lead and support policy reviews to reflect legislation and best practice.
• Use employee relations data to identify improvements and trends.
• Support managers to handle challenging people issues effectively.
• Carry out regular audits and make practical recommendations to strengthen compliance and workplace practice.
• Contribute to fair, inclusive and person-centred HR services.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication

IT skills

Planning

Integrity

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Employee Relations Partner post in the HR team at Link Group, a social enterprise, with hybrid working available. The role leads expert employee relations advice and case management, from dismissals and appeals to Employment Tribunal claims, and supports organisational change including redundancy and TUPE. It also leads the job evaluation service and shapes HR policy through audits and employee relations data. Candidates need a CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience, plus a current driving licence or the ability to travel across multiple sites.

What the job involves

• Provide expert employee relations advice and lead case management of complex, sensitive matters, including dismissals, appeals, equality, safeguarding and Employment Tribunal cases
• Lead and manage the job evaluation service, including governance, quality assurance, training, supplier management and grading advice
• Play a key role in complex organisational change, working with managers, trade unions and employee representatives on consultation, restructuring, redundancy and TUPE
• Lead and support policy reviews so policies and practices reflect legislation and best practice
• Use employee relations data and case trends to identify improvements
• Support managers to handle challenging people issues effectively
• Carry out regular audits and make practical recommendations to strengthen compliance and workplace practice
• Contribute to fair, inclusive and person-centred HR services

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification, or equivalent experience

Experience

• Experienced employee relations professional with experience of leading, managing and developing specialist teams
• Proven expertise in investigations, case management and maintaining documentation and audit trails
• Experience of implementing or enhancing employee relations systems, processes, reporting and management information

Skills & knowledge

• Strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and web-enabled tools
• Strong planning skills and attention to detail
• High degree of integrity, professionalism and discretion

Checks & eligibility

• Level 1 Disclosure check under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
• Current driving licence and access to a vehicle, or ability to travel across multiple sites

Other

• Commitment to continuous professional development, particularly in UK employment law
• Able to manage competing priorities, work independently and take accountability for outcomes

Nice to have

• CIPD Level 7 qualification

What’s offered

• Annual salary review, performance-related increases and discretionary pay awards
• 35 days' holiday plus one extra day after a year's service, up to 40 days, with holiday buying and selling
• Enhanced sick and family-friendly pay
• Defined contribution pension with matched employer contributions and salary exchange
• Paid qualifications, learning and development, and funded professional membership
• Life assurance and healthcare cash plan for employees and dependants
• Employee assistance programme for employees and household dependants
• Salary exchange car leasing and cycle to work scheme