HR Partner

Westerleigh Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company performance Bonus

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

24 days holiday + 8 bank holiday

Employee Assistance / Wellbeing

Job summary

Westerleigh Group based near Bristol is seeking an experienced HR Partner. The role is hybrid, with 2–3 days in the office and occasional travel for meetings. The salary is £35,000‑£40,000 per annum plus a company performance bonus and benefits.

You will work with the Head of Group HR Operations and the HR team, delivering pragmatic, commercially focused HR services and guidance on employee relations and HR topics across our sites and functions.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working as an HR Advisor, HR Partner, Senior HR Administrator / People Partner / Employee Relations Partner or equivalent role.
• CIPD qualification or desire to obtain.
• Working knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience of managing basic employee relations cases.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HR systems – Iris Cascade.

Responsibilities

• Provide first‑line HR advice and guidance to managers on employee relations matters.
• Coach managers to build confidence in handling people matters and support operational decision‑making.
• Maintain accurate HR records, probation management, and performance review processes.
• Analyse HR data to identify trends and improvement opportunities while ensuring compliance with employment law and GDPR.
• Support Group wide HR initiatives and contribute to HR process improvements and employee wellbeing initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Confidential handling

Education

CIPD qualification

Tools

Iris Cascade

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Role

HR Partner

Full time hours

Hybrid working: Typically, 2-3 days in office / working from home + travel for meetings when required (1-2 times per month on average)

Salary £35,000 - £40,000 per annum + Company performance bonus + Benefits

Permanent

Westerleigh Crematorium Head Office (Near Bristol)

Are you an experienced HR Partner looking for an opportunity where you can truly make a difference? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are one of the largest independent operators of crematoria in the UK, supported by almost 500 empathetic and dedicated individuals and we are growing. We have more than 42 sites across the country and 3 business areas. Like many of our colleagues, you might not have considered our sector before, however it’s an opportunity to become a part of something truly meaningful and significant.

The role

You will work closely with our Head of Group HR Operations and the wider HR team, partnering with Managers across our operational and support functions to deliver a responsive, pragmatic and commercially focused HR service. As one of the first points of contact for people matters, you will provide practical advice, coaching and guidance on a broad range of employee relations and HR topics.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious, organised and confident in building trusted relationships. You will be an effective communicator who can coach, influence and challenge managers, empowering them to make fair, informed and people focused decisions.

Key responsibilities include:

Employee Relations

Provide first‑line HR advice and guidance to managers on:

• Low‑Level disciplinary matters
• Grievances
• Absence management
• Performance management
• Flexible working requests
• Probation review guidance
• Support and coach leaders through basic formal and informal employee relations processes
• Support the preparation of HR documentation including letters, outcome communications and meeting documentation
• Ensure cases are managed consistently, fairly and in accordance with company policies and procedures
• Escalate complex or high‑risk cases to the Head of Group HR Operations where appropriate

Manager Support & Coaching

• Build effective working relationships with leaders across the business
• Provide practical, commercially focused advice that supports operational decision‑making
• Coach managers to build confidence in handling people matters
• Promote early intervention approaches to minimise escalation of employee issues

HR Operations

• Probation management
• Performance review processes
• Ensure colleague records are maintained accurately and confidentially

Data, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate HR records and case management systems
• Produce HR reports and management information as required
• Analyse trends in absence, turnover and employee relations cases to identify improvement opportunities
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, GDPR and company policies

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Support Group wide HR initiatives and projects
• Contribute to the development of HR processes, systems and colleague experience improvements
• Assist with employee engagement, wellbeing and culture initiatives

About you

• Previous experience working as an HR Advisor, HR Partner, Senior HR Administrator / People Partner / Employee Relations Partner or equivalent role.
• CIPD qualification or desire to obtain
• Working knowledge of UK employment law
• Experience of managing basic employee relations cases
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Strong organisational and administrative skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and HR systems – our HR System is Iris Cascade

What We Offer

If you would like to join the Westerleigh team, you can be sure of a warm welcome, ongoing training and development and a sense of pride by truly making a difference every day to the families we serve.

The values we champion are Safety First, Exceptional Care, Uniquely Personal and One Team.

• 24 days holiday + 8 days bank holiday
• Company performance Bonus
• Life Assurance
• Access to a wide range of retail discounts and wellbeing support
• Ongoing learning & development
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance / Occupational health support Program
• Headspace: Mindfulness App
• Mental Health Ambassadors
• The benefit we hope you’ll never need: Free Cremation benefit for Immediate family
• Bereavement Leave
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Recognition scheme
• Free Flu jab
• Employee discount at onsite café
• Free parking