Employee relations specialist

BDS (Northern) Limited; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

BDS Recruitment is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to join the HR team. The role involves providing expert ER advice on disciplinary, grievance, absence and capability matters, working with managers to resolve cases in line with employment law and Anchor policies, and coaching leaders to handle ER issues confidently.

Location is hybrid with twice weekly travel to Bradford. The appointment is temporary with a strong possibility of permanency, offering a competitive salary of

Qualifications

• Provide ER advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Coaching leaders to handle ER issues proactively.
• Understand UK employment law and Anchor policies.

Responsibilities

• Advise on ER matters from disciplinary and grievance to absence and capability.
• Collaborate with managers to handle cases in line with employment law and organisational policies.
• Develop management capability through coaching to handle ER issues proactively.

Skills

ER advice

Disciplinary guidance

Absence & capability

Coaching managers

Influencing skills

Report writing

Education

CIPD qualification or equivalent

Job description

Employee Relations Specialist

Location: Hybrid with twice weekly travel to Bradford

Contract: Temp ongoing with strong possibility of permanent at a later date.

Salary: £38,000

About the role

BDS Recruitment are working with a leading national housing association to recruit. an experienced Employee Relations (ER) Advisor to join the HR team and help ensure a fair, consistent, and positive colleague experience across the organisation.

You’ll provide expert, commercially focused advice on a range of ER matters — from disciplinary and grievance to absence and capability. Working closely with managers, you’ll ensure cases are handled effectively in line with employment law, best practice, and Anchor policies and behaviours, to an appropriate resolution.

You’ll also help develop management capability through coaching, enabling leaders to handle ER issues confidently and proactively.

About You

You’ll be somebody experienced in providing support and guidance to all managers within the business, up to Heads of Business / Director level. You will be confident in managing a varied and complex ER caseload and have a sound understanding of UK employment law.

Criteria

• Experience to confidently provide ER advice in a fast-paced environment
• A Customer-focused mindset and high standards of service delivery
• Strong influencing and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including report writing.
• Experience supporting employment tribunal preparation.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent work experience.