HR Business Partner

ISQ Recruitment LTD; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ISQ Recruitment LTD in Leeds is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner with a strong Employee Relations background to join an operational business. The role is hands-on, partnering with operational leaders to advise on employment law and manage complex ER cases across customer sites.

You will lead workplace investigations, manage ACAS Early Conciliation matters, and support change programmes while travelling regularly across the UK to sites. CIPD Level 5 or equivalent is desirable.

Qualifications

• Experience handling complex Employee Relations cases and providing practical employment law guidance.
• Proven ability to lead workplace investigations with fairness and consistency.
• Ability to coach and influence managers to handle people issues confidently.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of complex and sensitive ER cases and provide strategic advice.
• Lead workplace investigations and ensure compliant handling of cases.
• Advise managers on policy, process, and employment law across multiple sites.
• Manage ACAS Early Conciliation matters and support Tribunal claims.
• Collaborate with external employment lawyers when appropriate.
• Coach managers to resolve people issues more effectively.
• Travel to customer sites across the UK as needed.

Skills

Employee Relations

Employment Law

Workplace Investigations

ACAS Early Conciliation

Coaching Managers

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Job description

HR Business Partner – Employee Relations & Operations

Permanent | Full-time| Leeds | Regular UK travel

We’re looking for an experienced HR Business Partner with a strong Employee Relations background to join an operational business based in Leeds.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who is comfortable dealing with challenging people matters, advising operational leaders and taking ownership when situations become more complex.

You’ll work across a broad range of Employee Relations issues, from manager advice and workplace investigations through to disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability and dismissal cases. You’ll also take a lead role in ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunal matters, working with external legal advisers where required.

The role involves regular travel to customer sites across the UK, so you’ll need to be comfortable working independently, dealing directly with managers and stakeholders and resolving issues in an operational environment.

The role

You’ll provide practical HR support to operational leaders and customer stakeholders, taking ownership of complex Employee Relations matters and providing clear advice on employment law, process and risk.

That will include:

• Taking ownership of complex and sensitive Employee Relations cases.
• Leading workplace investigations and ensuring cases are handled fairly and consistently.
• Advising managers on employment law, HR policy and appropriate process.
• Managing ACAS Early Conciliation matters and supporting Employment Tribunal claims.
• Working with external employment lawyers where appropriate.
• Coaching managers to deal with people matters more confidently and effectively.
• Visiting customer sites when an issue requires direct HR involvement.
• Identifying recurring ER issues and helping improve processes, policies and manager training.
• Supporting wider organisational change and people‑related projects.

What we’re looking for

You’re likely to be an experienced HR Business Partner, Employee Relations Specialist or Senior HR Advisor who is already comfortable handling complex cases independently.

You’ll need strong practical knowledge of UK employment law, good judgement and the confidence to challenge managers when necessary.

Experience of ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunal preparation is important for this role, as is experience carrying out sensitive workplace investigations.

You’ll also need to be organised, resilient and comfortable managing several priorities at once.

CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent relevant experience, is desirable.

A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly are required.

Career development

There is scope for the role to develop further as you build your experience and take on wider HR responsibilities.

INDEN