Senior Employee Relations Partner: Strategy & Influence

Arriva TrainCare; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva UK Bus is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Business Partner to influence senior leaders and shape robust ER strategy across our UK depots. You will lead complex cases, coach HR colleagues, and guide policy and governance to drive improved employee experience while ensuring legal compliance.

The role focuses on proactive ER strategies, data-driven risk identification, and effective stakeholder management in a large, unionised organisation, with accountability for change programmes and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior Employee Relations, HR Business Partner or specialist ER role.
• Experience working within a large, complex and unionised environment.
• Experience managing complex and high-profile employee relations cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, organisational change and tribunal preparation.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership teams and influencing strategic decision-making.
• Strong experience working collaboratively with Trade Unions and employee representatives.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, coaching and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading on complex, high-risk and sensitive employee relations matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
• Acting as the senior escalation point for ER Business Partners, HR teams and operational leaders, providing expert advice and coaching.
• Partnering with senior stakeholders to develop proactive employee relations strategies that align with business objectives.
• Using ER data and trends to identify risks, drive improvements and influence strategic decision-making.
• Developing and enhancing employee relations policies, frameworks, governance and manager guidance.
• Driving early intervention and resolution strategies to reduce organisational risk and improve employee experience.
• Overseeing ER systems, reporting and case management processes to ensure robust governance and meaningful management information.
• Building strong working relationships with Trade Union representatives and employee forums to support positive industrial relations.
• Supporting organisational change programmes, restructures, consultations and other significant people initiatives.
• Coaching and mentoring ER and HR colleagues to build organisational capability and promote best practice.

Skills

Senior Employee Relations

HR Business Partner

Unionised environment

Employment law knowledge

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Coaching and mentoring

Education

CIPD Level 5 or Level 7

Tools

ER systems

Job description

Arriva UK Bus is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Business Partner to influence senior leaders and shape robust ER strategy across our UK depots. You will lead complex cases, coach HR colleagues, and guide policy and governance to drive improved employee experience while ensuring legal compliance.

The role focuses on proactive ER strategies, data-driven risk identification, and effective stakeholder management in a large, unionised organisation, with accountability for change programmes and