Employee Relations Partner - 1 year Fixed Term in Leeds

Eville & Jones is the largest provider of veterinary official controls in Europe. We are committed to safeguarding animal welfare within the food chain, ensuring that food is safe to eat, and enabling the import and export of products of animal origin. Part of the Phenna Group with an annual turnover of £60m, E&J has recently been recognised in the Sunday Times as one of the UK’s fastest growing companies. E&J has a 60‑strong Leeds based Central Support team which provides support to an 850‑strong team of veterinary professionals, hailing from 46 countries, and deployed throughout the UK.

We are looking for a self‑motivated, resilient, discrete, and well‑organised HR professional with the ability to work at pace with clear priorities to cover a 12‑month fixed‑term contract to cover a career break. The current role covers 24 hours a week over three days; however, we are happy to offer the position as either a full‑time or part‑time role, with flexibility regarding hours and days to suit the business and the right candidate.

As an Employee Relations Partner you will report to the Head of People Services and take responsibility for providing outstanding ER advice and guidance to the business and key stakeholders. Specifically, you will provide an ER advisory service to line managers across all areas of the business, focusing on company policy, procedure, and current legislation. This role therefore requires a specialist who is customer and delivery focused.

• Advise, guide and support managers with all matters relating to employee relations
• Effective case management of people‑related issues such as disciplinaries, performance management, employment tribunals, grievance, and absence management
• Develop effective relationships with the business to promote good employee relations across the organisation
• Monitor trends in employment practices and advise on appropriate proactive action
• Provide advice and guidance on disciplinary and welfare cases, capability, grievance, and coach managers where appropriate
• Provide key ER metrics and monitor trends
• Manage people relationships, respond to any policy‑related queries or problems that they have and manage their expectations
• Coach managers to understand key people issues and risks and support them through HR processes so that they become more confident in dealing with people issues early

• Experience in an ER/HR role with solid knowledge and experience of managing ER cases independently, coaching and guiding line managers to ensure a timely and compliant resolution across a range of employee relations matters.
• Interpret and advise on ER policies and procedures, supporting managers to apply them consistently and effectively in line with best practice and employment law.
• Have a good understanding of ER procedures and processes such as employment tribunals, disability, diversity, and equal opportunities, with sound knowledge of employment law.
• With excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, you should also have strong relationship‑building capabilities across all levels of the business, be practical and logical with the ability to solve problems quickly.
• Driven and determined, you should be organised and have the ability to work well under pressure and a continuous improvement mindset and ideally be CIPD qualified.

• Salary – up to £40,000 p.a. FTE – depending on skills and experience
• 23 days holiday (increasing each year to a maximum of 25 days) plus eight bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Reward and recognition scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Perkbox scheme – a variety of discounts and benefits
• Free car parking
• Employee assistance programme/financial wellbeing service

This role can either be a full‑time role working 40 hours a week over five days or part‑time – minimum of 24 hours a week over three days. Although office based (LS15 8ZB), there will be flexibility as to hybrid remote working.

Closing date 10th July 2026