Employee Relations Adviser, People Directorate (9 Month FTC) in London

Our Employee Relations (ER) team works closely with colleagues across the Bank and with Unite the Union to support constructive employee relations and resolve workplace issues fairly and consistently. We ensure the right people are consulted at the right time and provide clear, expert advice grounded in our policies and values. We are proud of our culture: objective, fair and consistent application of people policies, with a strong focus on treating every colleague with dignity and respect. The ER team is part of the People Directorate, alongside Reward, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Talent, Acquisition & Development. Many of our team hold CIPD or other relevant HR qualifications, such as mediation.

Your Role

• Build trusted relationships with managers at all levels - including Executive Director and Senior leaders - acting as a key point of contact for clear, confident Employee Relations (ER) advice, including coaching managers where appropriate.
• Manage and prioritise a varied ER caseload, handling often complex and sensitive people matters with professionalism, good judgement and discretion.
• Support organisational change, including consultation and redundancy processes, by guiding managers and colleagues through each step with clarity, empathy and practical advice.
• Develop practical, balanced solutions to challenging issues, interpreting policy in a fair and consistent way while considering the realities of implementation.
• Stay ahead of employment law developments, keep up to date with employment law changes and help shape proactive, best‐practice approaches.

Job Requirements

• Proven experience working as an Employee Relations Adviser in a corporate environment, managing a high‐volume and varied ER caseload (e.g., conduct, grievance, performance, sickness cases).
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex and conflicting information and provide clear, evidence‐based advice that balances risk and organisational policy.
• Experience preparing clear case summaries and working directly with internal Legal Counsel to support risk‐managed outcomes.
• Track record of developing practical, workable solutions to complex ER issues, aligning policy requirements with operational realities.

Essential Criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with evidence of producing accurate, legally defensible written outputs (e.g., documents that may be disclosed through SARs, FOIAs or litigation).
• Ability to build rapport quickly with managers and employees to gather full and accurate case information.
• Demonstrated resilience when handling sensitive, emotionally complex, or high‐risk employee cases.
• Proven ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion when managing sensitive staff matters.

Desirable Criteria

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above).
• Experience working in a unionised environment.
• Experience or interest in supporting organisational change or restructuring programmes.

Benefits of the role

• Joining the Employee Relations team means being part of a highly trusted, people‐focused function at the heart of the Bank.
• Impactful, meaningful work - You will help managers and colleagues navigate sensitive and complex people matters, shaping positive outcomes and influencing how we support our people across the organisation.
• Professional growth and development - You will work alongside experienced ER professionals, many with CIPD and specialist qualifications, gaining exposure to a wide variety of cases, change programmes and employment law issues.
• A collaborative, values‐driven culture - Our team is known for being supportive, respectful and inclusive. We champion objectivity, dignity and fairness in everything we do - for colleagues and for each other.
• Visibility and stakeholder engagement - This role gives you the chance to work closely with managers at all levels, including senior leaders, building trusted relationships and strengthening your professional network within the Bank.
• Flexibility and wellbeing support - We promote healthy ways of working, offering flexible working options, wellbeing support, and an environment where people can balance professional demands with personal needs.
• A great place to grow your ER career - Whether you are already working in HR or looking to broaden your experience, this secondment offers hands‐on, ER exposure that builds confidence, capability and future career opportunities.

Location: Leeds or London

About the Team

Our Employee Relations (ER) team works closely with colleagues across the Bank and with Unite the Union to support constructive employee relations and resolve workplace issues fairly and consistently. We ensure the right people are consulted at the right time and provide clear, expert advice grounded in our policies and values. We are proud of our culture: objective, fair and consistent application of people policies, with a strong focus on treating every colleague with dignity and respect. The ER team is part of the People Directorate, alongside Reward, Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Talent, Acquisition & Development. Many of our team hold CIPD or other relevant HR qualifications, such as mediation.

Your Role

• Build trusted relationships with managers at all levels - including Executive Director and Senior leaders - acting as a key point of contact for clear, confident Employee Relations (ER) advice, including coaching managers where appropriate.
• Manage and prioritise a varied ER caseload, handling often complex and sensitive people matters with professionalism, good judgement and discretion.
• Support organisational change, including consultation and redundancy processes, by guiding managers and colleagues through each step with clarity, empathy and practical advice.
• Develop practical, balanced solutions to challenging issues, interpreting policy in a fair and consistent way while considering the realities of implementation.
• Stay ahead of employment law developments, keep up to date with employment law changes and help shape proactive, best‐practice approaches.

Job Requirements

National Security Vetting

Salary and Benefits

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it is by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we will continue to make the best decisions for the public. We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We have also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they are needed.

For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders. Finally, we are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate. Salary as follows: Leeds circa £46,320 - £52,000; London circa £51,440 - £57,000. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and/or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It is therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.

The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. This role closes for applications on 15 February @ 23:59. Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.