Employee Relations Specialist

Honing a safe place. Lending a helping hand. Making a difference.

£32,000 - £39,000 per annum + benefits

Reports to: Employee Relations Manager
Directorate: Chief Operating Office
Contract: 12 month fixed-term contract
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Closing date: 6 September 2026, 23:55. This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you. This is an opportunity to join Cancer Research UK’s Employee Relations (ER) Team of 8. The ER team (and wider HR department) play an essential role in engaging and inspiring Cancer Research UK’s large and dynamic workforce of hundreds of shops and 2,500+ office staff across the UK by delivering operational transformation, governance, and an employee experience that enables us to be an inclusive, sustainable, and agile organisation.

What will I be doing?

• Providing expert advice, coaching, and development to managers across the organisation to resolve all ER cases (such as performance management, conflict resolution, ill health, grievance, and disciplinary) effectively and in line with legislative requirements and Cancer Research UK’s policies and procedures. You will be managing a caseload of c.30-40 cases at a time.
• Supporting case managers to make sound unbiased decisions ensuring colleagues are treated in a human way through robust, credible ER advice and support.
• Collaborating with colleague representatives and case managers to ensure that all cases are resolved efficiently to mitigate organisational risks in everything we do.
• Mediating and facilitating conflict resolution between parties by promoting open communication, mutual understanding, and constructive dialogue to resolve informally and amicably wherever possible.
• Accurately recording and maintaining case information ensuring that all case-associated paperwork is of a professional standard and meets GDPR and data protection regulations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve business processes and approaches and collaborating with colleagues across HR and the wider organisation to implement these.

What are we looking for?

• Experienced Employee Relations and/ or Human Resources Advisor (or equivalent) with a background in medium to large-sized organisations.
• Proven success managing 30+ employee relations cases at any one time involving senior stakeholders, end-to‑end with strong attention to detail, organisation, and prioritisation.
• Thorough knowledge of employment law, regulations, and best practices related to employee relations.
• Strong understanding of HR policies and procedures, disciplinary and grievance processes, and employee engagement strategies.
• Has trained and coached case managers and senior stakeholders to conduct investigations and manage employee relations cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, and impartiality.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively interact and build relationships with employees at all levels of the organisation.
• Experience generating professional reports and writing ER letters.
• Ability to provide practical, solution‑oriented advice and guidance to employees and management on employee relations matters.
• Strong problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution skills with the ability to remain resilient, calm, and composed in challenging situations.
• Ideally, available on one month’s notice or less.

Our values

• Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
• Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
• Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
• Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under‑represented. We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore your benefits by visiting our careers web page.

As the world’s largest independent cancer research charity, we conduct research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Our aim is to see 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034 and our staff are integral to achieving that ambition. Cancer Research UK offers you excellent prospects to expand your career as well as the ability to make a real difference to the lives of others. We’re always looking for sharp, brave, and collaborative people to join Cancer Research UK and continue to make it a great place to work.