Employee Relations Specialist

Accent Housing; Bradford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

28 days holiday + birthday day off

Job summary

Accent Housing is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to act as the first point of contact for ER matters, providing expert, coaching-led support to leaders across Accent Housing. You will manage a diverse caseload, offering practical and legally sound advice on absence, performance, conduct, flexible working, and change.

You will help leaders to handle people matters early and fairly, reducing risk while identifying trends to improve policy and practice across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience managing a broad range of complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment law with practical application.
• Experience coaching, training and supporting leaders in people management.
• Sound judgement balancing business, legal and people risks.
• Excellent attention to detail in advice and case management.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Absence management
• Performance and capability issues
• Flexible working requests
• Conduct matters
• Organisational change and consultation activity
• Disciplinary and grievance cases

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Coaching leaders

Risk assessment

Job description

A place to create moments that matter

Location: Hybrid (3 days a week in the office), the role can be based out of our Bradford or Peterborough office.

Salary: £39,735 per annum

Permanent, 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.

Thousands of families across the country rely on us for a safe, affordable home. And as the housing crisis deepens, the work we do has never been more important.

It’s this belief - that everyone deserves a place to call home - that drives everything we do. Together, we find new ways to understand and champion our customers, support them and drive positive change.

For a career that means more and makes a meaningful impact on society, this is the place to be.

Help create a workplace where people can thrive At Accent, we're more than a housing provider. We're a place where colleagues are supported to do their best work, leaders are empowered to make great people decisions, and customers remain at the heart of everything we do.

What you’ll be doing

As our Employee Relations Specialist, you'll be the first point of contact for ER matters, providing expert, coaching‑led support to leaders across Accent.

You’ll manage a diverse and often complex caseload, providing practical, balanced and legally sound advice on matters including:

• Absence management
• Performance and capability issues
• Flexible working requests
• Conduct matters
• Organisational change and consultation activity
• Disciplinary and grievance cases

You’ll work closely with leaders to build their confidence in handling people matters early, fairly and effectively, helping to achieve positive outcomes while reducing organisational risk.

Beyond casework, you’ll use ER insights and trends to identify emerging risks, recommend preventative actions and contribute to continuous improvement across the organisation.

Salary

The spot salary for this post is £39,735 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements of the post. If you’re still developing some of the skills or experience, you can start at a salary 5% or 10% below the spot rate, with clear support and progression opportunities to reach the full amount.

About you

• Demonstrable experience managing a broad range of complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, with the ability to apply legal principles to practical workplace situations.
• Experience coaching, training and supporting leaders to build confidence and capability in people management.
• Sound judgement with the ability to assess and balance business, legal and people‑related risks.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in advice and case management.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

The successful applicant will be subject to pre‑employment checks, such as DBS and social media screening , before an offer is confirmed.

Interviews

We want your candidate experience to reflect who we are - a place to grow, a place to thrive, a place to be you.

Stage 1: A Place to Connect

A Teams interview with the hiring manager. You’ll learn more about the role and team, and we’ll get to know you – your experience, goals, and what you bring.

Planned date: 18th August via Teams.

Stage 2: A Place to Show Your Strengths

A role related assessment and behavioural and scenario‑based interview focused on how you apply your knowledge to real‑life situations. You'll be asked to complete a Customer Service Questionnaire in advance.

Planned date: 25th August at our Bradford office.

We aim to make the process clear, supportive, and genuinely valuable – a place where you feel informed and confident at every step.

A place to build a future

We’ve got big ambitions and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. Here, you’ll have the chance to learn new skills, shape your career, and thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter.

And because we believe great work deserves great rewards, here’s what you can look forward to:

• Generous time off – 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, an extra day for your birthday, and the option to buy more.
• Health & wellbeing support – Cash health plan, Health MOTs, online GP access, gym discounts, and a dedicated volunteering day for a cause you care about.
• Financial perks – Car leasing options, salary sacrifice schemes, and exclusive discounts through our benefits platform to help your money go further.
• Future-focused benefits – Access to both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes through salary sacrifice, plus life assurance at three times your salary for peace of mind.
• Family-friendly policies – Enhanced parental leave, flexible working options, and support for work‑life balance.
• Career development – From Stepping into Management and Management Essentials training to our Leadership Academy, apprenticeships, and more – we’ll help you grow and succeed.

This is more than a job – it’s a place where you can make an impact, feel valued, and be rewarded for what you do.

We’re Committed to Inclusion

We believe diversity makes us stronger and we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and if you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know – we’ll make it happen.

Because this isn’t just a workplace – it’s a place to belong.

Please note candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK, Accent do not currently hold a sponsorship license.

Recruitment Agencies

We work exclusively with partners on our preferred supplier list (PSL) and do not accept unsolicited CVs or speculative approaches from agencies for this role.

REF: (Apply online only)