People Partner

University of the West of England; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Progressive pay rates

Generous annual leave

Career average pension scheme

Retail savings

Onsite nursery

Training and personal development

Job summary

UWE Bristol is seeking an experienced HR professional to provide expert employee relations advisory and partnering services across the University. You will support managers at all levels to navigate complex people matters with a solutions-focused approach, balancing organisational needs with staff support.

The role focuses on managing a diverse ER caseload, offering guidance on attendance, conduct, capability, grievances, flexible working, and workplace change, while collaborating with Trade

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing a large and complex employee relations caseload within a sizeable organisation.
• Experience advising managers on organisational change including restructures, workforce planning, redeployment and redundancy processes.
• Excellent communication, coaching, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment law.

Responsibilities

• Manage a large, complex ER caseload and provide expert guidance to managers and staff.
• Advise on attendance management, conduct, capability, grievances, flexible working requests and workplace change.
• Work with Trade Union representatives to resolve matters fairly and promptly.
• Contribute to wider People Services initiatives and projects.
• Share knowledge and support colleagues to ensure effective case management.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Communication

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Autonomous working

Education

Degree level (or equivalent)

CIPD Level 5 (or nearing completion)

Job description

Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for employee relations, problem solving and delivering excellent people services? At UWE Bristol, our People Partners provide a professional advisory and partnering service to managers and staff across the University. Working within a collaborative People Services team, you will support managers at all levels to navigate complex people matters, balancing organisational needs with a supportive, solutions-focused approach.

This role will have a significant focus on managing a diverse and complex employee relations caseload. You will provide expert advice and guidance on a range of issues including attendance management, conduct, capability, grievances, flexible working requests, operational change, job evaluation and workplace conflict. You will work closely with managers and Trade Union representatives to ensure matters are resolved fairly, consistently and at the earliest opportunity wherever possible.

As part of our commitment to promoting informal and early resolution, you will bring strong coaching, influencing and relationship-building skills, enabling you to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes. You will also have opportunities to contribute to wider People Services initiatives and projects where business needs allow.

Working alongside the Advisory Services Manager, People Partners and People Advisors, you will play an important role in sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, ensuring effective case management and maintaining a responsive, high-quality service for the University community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and experienced People Services team at UWE Bristol, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on staff experience while developing your own professional expertise in a complex and diverse organisational environment.

We would like the successful candidate to be able to start immediately.

About You

• Significant experience of managing a large and complex employee relations caseload within a sizeable and complex organisation.
• Experience of advising managers on organisational change, including restructures, workforce planning, redeployment and redundancy processes.
• Excellent communication, coaching, influencing and negotiation skills.
• The ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to provide clear, pragmatic advice on complex people issues.
• The ability to work autonomously whilst contributing effectively as part of a supportive team.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and delivering excellent customer service.

You will be educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or be nearing completion), and possess up-to-date knowledge of employment law.

Experience of working within Higher Education would be advantageous, although not essential.

Where you will be working

UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.

In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.

You’ll spend most of your time on campus, typically 60 percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development.

Add your individuality to ours

UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.

We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision‑making, and problem‑solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.

As a Disability Confident employer, we encourage applications from disabled or neurodivergent candidates.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role, please contact Rebecca England email: [e-mail]

Shortlisting is expected to be completed within 2 weeks of the closing date depending on application volumes. We aim to give candidates at least a week's notice to attend interview.

This is a full-time, fixed-term post for 6 months, working 37 hours per week.

Flexible working arrangements will be considered, including applications from candidates seeking a 0.8 FTE working pattern.

Salary offers are made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines, reflecting your relevant skills and experience in parity with colleagues.

Right to Work in the UK

If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist . Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.