Employee Relations Specialist

Oxford International Education Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford International Education Group in the UK is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to lead UK ER strategy, advise managers on disciplinary and grievance matters, and ensure compliant, fair people practices across the organisation.

The role collaborates with global HR, legal and HRBPs to align policies, manage ACAS and tribunal matters, and drive continuous improvement while promoting an inclusive, high-trust workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Undergo Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
• Level 5 CIPD Qualified.
• Level 7 CIPD Qualified or working towards (Desirable).
• Significant experience managing complex disciplinary and grievances.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation.
• Experience in HE environment desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage ER case management across the UK with local compliance and global alignment.
• Provide expert HR guidance to managers on ER matters.
• Handle disciplinary, grievance and whistleblowing cases.
• Triage ACAS, employment tribunals and liaise with external counsel.
• Analyse ER data to drive actionable insights and improvements.
• Support restructures with clear roles and processes.
• Collaborate with global HR, HRBPs and legal to align strategies.
• Promote AI-enabled self-serve model for managers.
• Stay updated on UK employment law and update policies.
• Own ER policies and manager toolkits.
• Advise on employment contracts and terms.
• Champion fairness, integrity and commercial awareness.
• Support wider People Team projects as required.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Time management

Digital literacy / AI curious

Travel willingness

Assertive & resilient

Professional presence

Integrity

Proactivity & initiative

Education

Level 5 CIPD Qualified

Level 7 CIPD Qualified or working towards

Job description

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing effective employee relations strategies, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant people management practices across the UK based organisation.

The role provides expert guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary and grievance cases, performance management, absence management, workplace investigations, organisational change and employment disputes.

The postholder will promote a positive employee experience, strengthen management capability, mitigate employment-related risks and foster a culture of fairness, accountability, inclusion and engagement.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage ER case management across the UK ensuring local compliance while supporting global alignment.
• Collaborate with managers and employees to provide expert HR guidance and support the UK and rest of work (ROW)
• Confident handling of complex employee relation matters in line with UK employment law.
• Manage and triage UK ACAS, employment tribunal claims and legal matters, partnering with external legal counsel as and when required.
• Provide expert guidance and escalation support on complex disciplinary, grievance, and whistleblowing cases.
• Analyse ER case data and trends to deliver actionable recommendations to Senior People Partner and drive continuous improvement.
• Facilitate ER representation during restructures, ensuring clear roles, consistent processes, and employee support.
• Collaborate with global HR stakeholders, HRBPs, and legal teams to align strategies and deliver impact.
• Explore and implement innovative, smart ways of working including the use of AI to optimise time effectively and enabling a self-serve model with managers
• Stay up to date with UK employment law, advising key stakeholders of upcoming changes, making changes to relevant processes and policies.
• Own ER related policies and manager toolkits, ensuring these are up to date in line with UK employment law
• Advising on employment contract matters and employment terms.
• Champion a culture of fairness, integrity, and commercial awareness.
• Supporting wider People Team projects as and when required
• Other duties as and when required by line manager.

Person Specifications

Legal status

• Eligibility to live and work in in the UK.
• Undergo an Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Qualifications

• Level 5 CIPD Qualified
• Significant experience of managing complex disciplinary and grievances
• Sound knowledge of UK employment legislation
• Level 7 CIPD Qualified or working towards. (Desirable)

Experience and knowledge

• Significant experience in an ER related role
• Experience working in HE environment (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and writing with the ability to work with all colleagues
• Able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders providing credible and reliable support
• Excellent time management and ability to work and prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines
• Digitally savvy, and AI curious
• Able to work independently and seek support when necessary
• Able to travel to various UK based locations (Desirable)
• Assertive and resilient
• Good presence and able to build strong relationships with people across the business and with all levels of seniority.
• Acts with integrity always.
• Committed to ongoing professional development
• Proactive, uses initiative and solutions-oriented

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.

Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment checks, including checks with past employees, are undertaken in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection policy.

Oxford International is an equal opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.