RAFAKidz Employee Relations Specialist

RAF Association; Leicester Forest East; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 33 days annual leave

Company sick pay & life insurance

Health cashback plan & free virtual GP

Mental health & wellbeing support

Discounted gym membership

Cycle to Work Scheme

Refer a Friend bonus payments

Subsidised RAFA accommodation breaks

Close to Leicester Forest East Park &

Job summary

RAFAKidz is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Specialist based in Leicester (LE3 1UT) with hybrid working after probation. The role supports managers and leads complex ER matters across the RAFAKidz organisation, ensuring fair processes and compliant practice.

You will be the subject matter expert in employee relations, partnering with senior leaders to shape people practices, manage risk, and promote a positive workplace culture across the charity group.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters.
• Support managers on disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management and appeals processes.
• Conduct and support workplace investigations.
• Ensure ER cases are managed in line with legislation and policy.
• Support organisational change initiatives, consultations, restructures and TUPE transfers.
• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures.
• Coach managers and deliver training to improve management capability.
• Analyse ER trends and data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support initiatives to enhance employee engagement and retention.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

UK employment law knowledge

Communication & stakeholder management

Prioritisation & independence

Education

CIPD Level 5

CIPD Level 7 (desirable)

Job description

RAFAKidz Employee Relations Specialist

£38,140.00, 37.5 hours per week

Based in Leicester (LE3 1UT), with hybrid working available upon successful completion of probation. The role is expected to be office-based for a minimum of three days per week, with up to two days working from home.

UK driving licence essential for this role

Join RAFAKidz and Help Shape a Positive Employee Experience

At RAFAKidz, we are committed to providing exceptional childcare and early years education to children of RAF families across the UK. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Employee Relations Specialist to join our growing HR team and play a key role in supporting managers, strengthening employee relations practices, and promoting a positive workplace culture across the organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to make a significant impact within a purpose-driven organisation. Working closely with managers and senior leaders, you will provide expert advice on a broad range of employee relations matters, ensuring cases are managed fairly, consistently and in line with employment legislation and organisational policy.

RAFAKidz is a multi-award-winning nursery group located on, or close to, RAF and MOD stations throughout the UK. Our nurseries are designed to meet the childcare needs of both military and civilian families. Every day, we create experiences that are special, unique and child-focused. For every child who comes through our doors, regardless of their ability, background or circumstances, we provide opportunities that help them grow, build confidence and reach their full potential.

As our Employee Relations Specialist, you will join us at an exciting time in the development of our People function. You will act as the organisation's subject matter expert for employee relations, supporting managers to navigate complex people matters while ensuring organisational risk is appropriately managed. Bringing your expertise, sound judgement and people-focused approach, you will play a vital role in enhancing management capability, supporting organisational change, and ensuring our people practices reflect the values of RAFAKidz.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex employee relations matters.
• Support and advise managers on disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management and appeal processes.
• Conduct and support workplace investigations where required.
• Ensure employee relations cases are managed consistently and in line with employment legislation and best practice.
• Support the resolution of workplace disputes and employee concerns.

Organisational Change & Policy Development

• Support organisational change initiatives, including consultations, restructures and TUPE transfers.
• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure people policies reflect current legislation and best practice.

Management Support & Development

• Coach and mentor managers on employee relations issues.
• Design and deliver training to improve management capability.
• Support managers to build positive and productive working environments.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyse employee relations trends and workforce data.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and reduce organisational risk.
• Support initiatives that enhance employee engagement and retention.

About You

You will be an experienced HR professional who thrives on building positive working relationships and providing practical, commercially focused advice.

Essential Experience and Skills

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience advising managers across a broad range of employee relations matters.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong investigation, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• High levels of discretion and confidentiality.

Desirable Experience

• CIPD Level 7 qualification.
• Experience supporting organisational change and TUPE processes.
• Experience working within the Early Years, education, charity or military sectors.
• Knowledge of the RAF community and the challenges faced by military families.
• Experience using HR information systems, including Cezanne.

What We're Looking For

• Passionate about creating positive workplace cultures.
• Fair, objective and solutions-focused.
• Confident advising and challenging managers where appropriate.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Values-driven and aligned with the RAFAKidz ethos.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting best practice.

Additional Information

• The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
• Occasional travel to nursery settings and meetings will be required.
• Flexibility to work additional hours on occasion may be required, with time off in lieu provided.

Why Join RAFAKidz?

At RAFAKidz, you'll be part of a supportive and dedicated team committed to making a positive difference to children, families and communities across the RAF. You'll have the opportunity to influence organisational culture, support leadership development, and help create an environment where colleagues can thrive.

What you can expect from us

• Up to 33 days' annual leave
• Company sick pay and life insurance
• Health cashback plan and free virtual GP service
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Discounted gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Unlimited Refer a Friend bonus payments
• Subsidised short breaks at selected RAFA accommodation
• Close to Leicester Forest East Park & Ride

RAFAKidz and the RAF Association is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.