ER Partner

Markerstudy Group; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK insurance firm is searching for an experienced Employee Relations Partner to join their HR team on a 7-month fixed term contract. This role requires expert guidance on employee relations matters, with responsibilities including managing complex cases and influencing stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have strong ER experience and excellent knowledge of employment law. This position offers a hybrid working model, allowing flexibility between Sunderland, Peterborough, and Portsmouth.

Qualifications

• Hands-on ER experience managing a wide range of casework independently.
• Good understanding of employment laws and ability to apply them pragmatically.
• Experience working in a regulated environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance on employee relations across the employee lifecycle.
• Manage complex ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, and absence management.
• Support policy development and improvement of ER processes.

Skills

Employee relations management

Strong influencing skills

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of employment law

Education

CIPD qualification (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Employee Relations Partner

7 Month Fixed Term Contract

February - September

Locations: Sunderland, Peterborough or Portsmouth (hybrid working)

Markerstudy Insurance Group is one of the UK’s leading insurance organisations, known for combining technical expertise with a strong people‑first culture. We’re now looking for an experienced Employee Relations Partner to join our Group HR team on a 7-month fixed‑term contract, providing maternity cover from February through to September.

The role

Reporting into the Lead ER Partner, you’ll provide expert, pragmatic ER advice across the business, supporting line managers with complex and sensitive employee relations matters while balancing colleague experience with commercial and regulatory needs.

You’ll manage a varied ER caseload end‑to‑end and work closely with HR Business Partners and the wider HR function to deliver a consistent, high‑quality ER service across the Group.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and guidance to line managers on all aspects of employee relations across the full employee lifecycle
• Manage complex ER cases end‑to‑end, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, flexible working and appeals
• Build strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders to influence fair and commercially sound outcomes
• Assess and manage ER risk, ensuring robust audit trails, governance and documentation
• Support absence and capability management, including liaison with Occupational Health, PHI cases and sensitive matters
• Contribute to ER MI, identifying trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
• Support policy development and continuous improvement of ER processes
• Stay up to date with employment law developments and emerging risks

About You

• Strong, hands‑on ER experience managing a wide range of casework independently
• Excellent employment law knowledge and ability to apply it pragmatically
• Confident stakeholder manager with strong influencing and communication skills
• Able to balance colleague experience with business and regulatory requirements

Desirable

• CIPD qualified (or equivalent)
• Experience working in a regulated environment
• Strong IT literacy, including Microsoft Office

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a collaborative, supportive ER team within a large, fast‑paced and highly regulated organisation, where your expertise will have real impact from day one.