People Relations Consultant

Merton Council; Merton; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Merton Council is seeking an experienced People Relations Consultant to provide high-quality, legally compliant HR advice across Corporate Services, Schools and the wider workforce. The role focuses on complex employee relations matters, TUPE considerations and advising managers on employment law and HR policy.

You will join a collaborative People and Culture team, guiding hearings, negotiations with unions and data-driven ER reporting while supporting changes to organisation structure and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in employee relations and employment law.
• Proven track record of managing complex ER cases.
• Knowledge of TUPE and working with trade unions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex attendance, performance, disciplinary and grievance cases.
• Advise on restructures, organisational change, TUPE and redundancies.
• Provide guidance on employment law and HR policies.
• Support hearings, appeals and complex employee relations matters.
• Consult and negotiate with trade unions.
• Produce ER reports, data analysis and management information.
• Coach managers to improve people-management capability.
• Support early resolution of workplace issues and minimise organisational risk.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Stakeholder management

TUPE knowledge

Education

MCIPD qualification or equivalent

Job description

Grade/Salary: ME13 -£48,003 to £52,194 per annum

Roles: 1 Permanent + 1 Fixed-Term (12 months)
Interviews: W/C12th October

We are seeking an experienced People Relations Consultant to provide high-quality, practical and legally compliant HR advice across Corporate Services, Schools and wider workforce teams.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage complex attendance, performance, disciplinary and grievance cases.
• Advise on restructures, organisational change, TUPE and redundancies.
• Provide guidance on employment law, HR policies and procedures.
• Support hearings, appeals and complex employee relations matters.
• Consult and negotiate with trade unions.
• Produce ER reports, data analysis and management information.
• Coach managers to improve their people-management capability.
• Support early resolution of workplace issues and minimise organisational risk.

About you:

• Experienced HR professional with strong employee relations and employment law expertise.
• Proven experience managing complex ER cases and organisational change.
• Knowledge of TUPE and experience working with trade unions.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
• Able to manage competing priorities and sensitive/confidential matters.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• MCIPD qualified, working towards it, or equivalent experience.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative People and Culture team, influence people practice and help create positive workplace experiences across Merton.

UK work authorisation: Candidates must have existing and unrestricted UK work authorisation.