HR Business Partner & Employee Relations Lead

urbanbubble Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Wellbeing hour

Enhanced annual leave

Job summary

urbanbubble Ltd is seeking a senior HR professional to lead employee relations and partner with leaders to drive business performance. You will manage a small team of People Advisors, coach managers and use people data to inform decisions, with hybrid working from Manchester.

This role combines specialist ER expertise with strategic partnering, covering disciplinaries, TUPE, restructures, and policy development, ensuring legal compliance and a commercially pragmatic approach.

Qualifications

• Significant employee relations experience across complex cases.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience partnering with operational leaders and influencing decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead the employee relations approach across the business, ensuring fair and compliant handling of cases.
• Act as senior escalation point for high-risk ER matters including disciplinaries and grievances.
• Partner with managers to identify people issues affecting performance and engagement.
• Coach managers and develop the capability of the HR advisory team.

Skills

Employee relations

UK employment law

Leadership coaching

People analytics

Business partnering

Education

CIPD qualification welcomed

Tools

TUPE knowledge

Job description

This is a fantastic opportunity for a senior HR professional who combines deep employee relations expertise with a genuine passion for partnering with leaders to improve business performance.

You’ll work closely with managers across the business, helping them navigate complex people challenges, build confidence in managing their teams and use people insights to drive better outcomes for both colleagues and the business.

You’ll also lead a small team of People Advisors, providing coaching, guidance and development while ensuring high standards of service and support across the organisation.

This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 2 days per week in our Manchester city centre office.

As our HR Business Partner & Employee Relations Lead, you will:

• Lead the employee relations approach across the business, ensuring cases are managed fairly, consistently and in line with employment law
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex and high-risk employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance and conduct issues
• Partner with managers and leaders to understand operational challenges and identify where people issues may be impacting performance, retention, engagement or absence
• Use people data and trends to identify risks, tackle root causes and recommend practical solutions
• Coach and support managers to develop their confidence and capability in handling people matters
• Provide commercially focused advice that balances legal risk, colleague experience and operational requirements
• Support organisational change projects, including restructures, consultations and TUPE activity
• Lead and develop a team of People Advisors, providing technical guidance, case oversight, coaching and development
• Review and improve policies, processes and guidance to ensure they remain legally compliant, practical and fit for purpose
• Work closely with senior leaders and the Head of HR to provide insight on people risks and opportunities across the business

We’re looking for someone who is technically strong, commercially minded and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.

You’ll bring:

• Significant employee relations experience across a wide range of complex cases
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Experience partnering with operational leaders and influencing decision-making at management level
• The ability to balance legal compliance with commercial pragmatism
• Strong analytical skills and confidence using people data to identify trends and opportunities
• Experience coaching managers and building leadership capability
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing HR Advisors or People Advisors
• Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail
• The confidence to challenge constructively and influence outcomes
• A calm, resilient and solutions-focused approach
• Experience with tribunals, organisational change, restructures or TUPE would be advantageous
• A CIPD qualification is welcomed, but we’re equally interested in candidates with strong practical experience and a proven track record in employee relations and business partnering

We’re passionate about our people & making sure that you have everything you need for your health, wellbeing & personal growth. After all, it’s not just about what you do here - it’s about being part of a company that truly cares & supports you!

Here’s a little glimpse into our bubble benefits;

• Birthday day off, monthly paid wellbeing hour & enhanced annual leave (27 days plus bank holidays) to make sure you get the rest you need
• Company pension scheme & medical Cover for your long-term health & to help plan for the future
• Refer a friend scheme to earn that bit of extra money by bringing incredible talent on board
• Paid volunteering day & social events to give back to causes that truly matter & connect with your colleagues
• Enhanced sick pay & family leave to take care of yourself & your loved ones
• Life events for those big milestones like your child’s first day at school or when you get the keys to your new home - we believe that you deserve to celebrate special moments with your loved ones. Family always comes first at ub!
• Cycle to work scheme to help you get to work in a healthier, greener way
• Study support to help you grow & reach your goals
• Long service awards to celebrate every mile stone with us
• Employee assistance & counselling for those times when you need a little bit of extra support

& the best part? You’ll be working with some truly incredible people who are passionate about what they do & are always ready to support you!