At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex employee relations matters and develop proactive strategies for a positive workplace culture.
- Company: Join Arriva UK Bus, a large and dynamic organisation with a focus on employee engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence senior stakeholders.
- Other info: Opportunity to coach and mentor colleagues while driving organisational change and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a strategic impact in a unionised environment while shaping employee relations best practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations, strong commercial awareness, and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional looking to make a strategic impact in a large, complex and unionised organisation?At Arriva UK Bus, we're looking for a Senior Employee Relations Business Partner to join our People team and play a critical role in shaping and delivering our employee relations agenda.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence senior stakeholders, drive best practice, and help create a positive, high-performing workplace culture across our business.
As a trusted advisor to senior leaders, you'll lead on complex and business-critical employee relations matters, providing expert guidance that balances commercial priorities, employee experience and legal compliance.
The Role This is a highly visible and influential role where you'll partner with senior operational and business leaders across our UK depots to develop proactive employee relations strategies that support organisational performance and employee engagement.
You'll act as the senior escalation point for complex ER matters, provide expert coaching and support to HR colleagues and managers, and use data-driven insights to identify trends, mitigate risk, and improve people outcomes.
You'll also play a key role in organisational change programmes, policy development, governance, and strengthening leadership capability across the business.
What You'll Be Doing 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.
Ensuring the business remains up to date and compliant with changes in employment legislation and case law.
Contributing to wider people projects that improve organisational culture, engagement and business performance.
About You We're seeking an experienced Employee Relations specialist who combines technical expertise with strong commercial awareness and the ability to influence at senior levels.
You'll ideally bring: Significant experience in a senior Employee Relations, HR Business Partner or specialist ER role.
Experience working within a large, complex and unionised environment.
A strong track record of 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.
The ability to balance legal risk, operational priorities and employee experience.
Experience developing ER frameworks, policies and governance processes.
Strong analytical capability, with confidence using data and insights to support business decisions.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 qualification, or equivalent experience, would be advantageous. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior ER Business Partner in Leicester employer: arriva
Arriva Group is an outstanding employer that prioritises the development and well-being of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where safety, compliance, and customer service are paramount. As a Coach Operations Supervisor at our Bangor depot, you'll enjoy opportunities for career advancement while working in a dynamic environment that values teamwork and operational excellence. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on delivering a reliable service, Arriva provides a fulfilling workplace for those passionate about passenger transport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior ER Business Partner in Leicester
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at arriva!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at arriva.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior ER Business Partner in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at arriva. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to arriva and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at arriva. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to arriva's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at arriva
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with arriva.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at arriva will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact arriva and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
