Employee Relations Partner (Fixed term)

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

30 days holiday (pro-rata)

Bonuses for excellent work

Staff development opportunities

Job summary

University of Nottingham is seeking two fixed-term Employee Relations Partners to join our Human Resources team at Jubilee Campus. You will provide expert guidance on disciplinary, grievance, absence management and wellbeing, partnering with line managers to navigate complex people issues while ensuring compliance with UK employment law.

You'll work across faculties and departments, support investigations, influence policy and promote an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• Coaching and supporting managers through ER processes and investigations.
• Demonstrable experience managing a broad range of 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

• Provide expert advice on disciplinary, grievance, absence management and wellbeing.
• Partner with line managers and stakeholders to navigate complex people issues.
• Facilitate informal resolution discussions and support formal investigations.
• Interpret policies and contribute to projects promoting inclusive culture.
• Advance commitment to positive employee experiences.

Skills

Coaching managers

ER investigations

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

Salary

£35,608 to £47,389 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Area

Employee Relations and Policy

Location

Jubilee Campus

Closing Date

Wednesday 11 November 2026

Reference

HR2606826

About the role

We are seeking two fixed term experienced and proactive Employee Relations Partner to join our Human Resources department. 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.

As an Employee Relations Partner, you will provide expert advice and guidance on a wide range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, and wellbeing. You will partner closely with line managers and stakeholders supporting them to navigate complex 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 investigations and hearings, interpreting and providing guidance on various policies and contributing to projects designed to increase skillset and promote diverse and critical thinking in decision making to enhance an inclusive and learning focused culture. You will also play a key role in advancing our commitment to positive employee experiences and creating an environment where colleagues can thrive.

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 directly with the teams within the HR Department such as HR Policy, Occupational Health and HR Business Partners.

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

• Coaching and supporting managers through ER processes and investigations
• Demonstrable experience managing a broad range of 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 (30) 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

What next

Further information is available in the role profile.

There are two fixed term maternity cover positions available: 6 months and 12 months. Please highlight which fixed term role you are interested in during your application.

Your working hours will be (36.25 hours per week). If you are interested in part‑time work (minimum 30 hours per week), we encourage you to apply. Please specify your preferred hours in your application. 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.

Further details

• Job Description/Role Profile

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.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer . Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award .

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

Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

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 .