Senior Employee Relations Advisor

Yolk Recruitment; Barry; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading higher education provider in the UK is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Advisor to provide essential support in employee relations services. This role involves managing complex ER casework, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and fostering a positive workplace culture. The ideal candidate will hold a Level 7 HR qualification and have significant experience in employee relations. A hybrid working model is available, and salary starts at £34,610 per annum.

Qualifications

• Level 7 HR qualification or equivalent experience.
• CIPD membership (or willingness to work towards it).
• Significant experience managing complex ER casework.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and case law.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support complex ER casework, offering expert advice to managers.
• Support preparations for employment tribunal cases.
• Facilitate informal resolution between managers, employees, and trade unions.
• Deliver training on ER processes and respectful behaviours.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Coaching skills

Knowledge of employment legislation

Education

Level 7 HR qualification or equivalent

CIPD membership or willingness to work towards

Job description

Senior Employee Relations Advisor

Permanent | Full Time (37.5 hours per week)

Starting salary: £34,610 per annum

Hours: 37.5 per week

Location: South Wales (Various sites Cardiff & Newport) Hybrid working available

Overview

We are working with a leading higher education provider who are seeking a skilled Senior Employee Relations Advisor to support the delivery of a proactive, fair, and consistent employee relations service. You will provide expert advice on complex casework, ensure compliance with employment legislation, and work closely with managers, trade unions, and key stakeholders across the institution. This role is central to promoting a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture.

Job Purpose

• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters.
• Support consistent, fair and timely handling of ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence.
• Promote early intervention, conflict prevention and positive working relationships.
• Contribute to policy development, training, and continuous improvement activity.
• Ensure compliance with current legislation and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support complex ER casework, offering expert advice and coaching to managers.
• Support preparation for employment tribunal cases and liaise with legal advisers where needed.
• Maintain and improve ER case management tools, records and reporting.
• Work with People Partners to ensure consistent application of investigation outcomes and recommendations.
• Facilitate informal resolution between managers, employees and trade unions.
• Deliver training and awareness sessions on ER processes, respectful behaviours, and inclusive practice.
• Monitor developments in employment legislation and advise on implications.
• Support ER-related projects, including Occupational Health and Employee Assistance Programme contracts.
• Promote the organisation's values through fair, inclusive and consistent ER practice.

Essential criteria

• Level 7 HR qualification or equivalent experience
• CIPD membership (or willingness to work towards it)
• Significant experience managing complex ER casework
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation and case law
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, coaching and prioritisation skills

Desirable

• Welsh language skills.

For further information about this opportunity, please contact Branwen Johns on (phone number removed) and email a copy of your CV.

Interviews are to be held in early-mid January.