At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex employee relations cases and provide expert advice to clients.
- Company: Join a progressive HR consultancy that values people and their development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development support.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative team environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping businesses create supportive workplaces.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Employee Relations Specialist role at Fitzgerald.
Job Type: Full-time or part-time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Salary: Starting from £55,000 (depending on experience). We offer a competitive salary package aligned with current market rates for this role. The final offer will reflect your skills, experience, and qualifications, alongside our commitment to internal equity.
Location: This is a hybrid role where you’ll be mainly home-based, with regular travel for client and internal meetings. This includes travel to a client site in East Sussex (Haywards Heath/Lewes area), approximately two days per week.
About us: We’re a full-service HR consultancy that partners with clients to help their people and businesses thrive. Sometimes we act as their in-house HR team, sometimes as an extension of their existing people team — but always as a trusted partner that genuinely cares. People sit at the heart of every business success story. Our job is to help clients create workplaces where those people can do their best work — even when things get tricky.
What you’ll be doing: As an Employee Relations Specialist, you’ll be the person clients turn to when things get complex or sensitive. You’ll bring clarity, fairness and calm confidence to a wide range of ER issues, helping clients navigate situations that really matter. Here’s a snapshot of what your day-to-day might include:
- Managing and advising on a range of ER cases — grievances, disciplinaries, bullying, harassment, whistleblowing and more.
- Carrying out investigations that are thorough, balanced and evidence-based.
- Supporting clients through restructures, redundancies, consultation processes and other business change exercises.
- Advising on negotiated exits, supporting without-prejudice conversations and settlement agreement processes.
- Drafting high-quality ER documentation such as invite letters, outcome letters, and investigation reports.
- Developing, reviewing and updating handbooks, policies and employment contracts.
- Helping clients understand risk — what’s urgent, what’s important and what they need to think about.
It’s meaningful, high-impact work — and no two days are the same.
About you: You’re an experienced Employee Relations professional who knows your stuff when it comes to employment law, policy development, and complex casework. You bring the perfect mix of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and empathy. You’ll need:
- Recent experience as ER/HR/People Partner, HR/People Business Partner, or People Advisor/Partner (where ER formed a core part of the role).
- Strong experience managing complex and various ER casework end-to-end.
- Experience drafting and updating policies, handbooks and employment contracts.
- Experience supporting negotiated exits and settlement agreements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills — able to explain the complex simply.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Skilled in drafting, reviewing, and implementing policies, handbooks, and contracts.
- Confident supporting organisational change projects such as restructures and redundancies.
- Commercially minded and able to balance compliance with practical advice.
- Tech-savvy and comfortable using Microsoft Office and digital systems.
- Happy to travel occasionally and you hold a full UK driving licence.
Ideally, you’ll be CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent), but what really matters to us is that you bring the practical experience and confidence to deliver great ER advice. Experience working in an HR consultancy would be a bonus.
The Perks:
- Competitive salary (starting from £55,000 per annum FTE)
- 25 days’ annual leave to start, rising to 27 after one year and 29 after two years, plus bank holidays
- Career qualifications supported and paid for where relevant with progression and development opportunities
- Monthly homeworking allowance and all equipment provided
- Flexible working patterns to make sure you have a good balance between your work and home life
- Strong internal and external support and a friendly, collaborative team
- Pension scheme options (including salary sacrifice) and 4% employer pension contributions, with a minimum of 4% employee contributions
- Life assurance at four times basic salary
- Shopping discounts platform, flu vaccinations and technology and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes
- Enhanced family leave
- Twice yearly all staff get togethers.
- Access to a 24/7 employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support
- A range of other health and wellbeing benefits
- A growing, progressive business with people at its heart
At Fitzgerald, we think one-size-fits-all doesn’t make anyone look good. Instead, we promise to make space for you to bring your whole self to work, not just your job title. Job titles change, after all. Working here, in time yours might too. We’re betting the future of our business on each of us, so we don’t just talk about development – we invest in it. Specifically, we invest in you. So if you want to learn something new or deepen your expertise, you do the work and we’ll support you all the way. Because when you get better at what you do, so do we. And when life throws curveballs - which it always will - we’ll make sure you’ve got the flexibility and support you need. We understand that time to rest and recharge is important and we’ll make sure you get it, along with a work/life balance that always treats you like an adult (and trusts you accordingly). Because we want everyone here to play a big part in what comes next for Fitzgerald, to build our future, be involved in decisions, and be valued for your input. We’re Fitzgerald. We do work that works for you.
How to apply: There are a few stages in our application process which help you get to know us as much as it helps us get to know you. This includes an initial screening stage (a quick call and written assessment), a virtual interview, psychometric testing and a concluding in-person meeting. If this sounds like your kind of place, APPLY NOW (you’ll be redirected to our careers site) — we can’t wait to hear from you. We really want our workforce to be representative of all sections of society, so we actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
Employee Relations Specialist in Brighton employer: Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary starting from £55,000 and a flexible hybrid working model. With a strong focus on collaboration and support, employees benefit from generous leave policies, career development opportunities, and a vibrant work culture that values individual contributions and fosters a sense of belonging. Join us to be part of a progressive HR consultancy where your expertise in Employee Relations will make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Specialist in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company before your interview! Research Fitzgerald's values and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, especially for those tricky ER scenarios.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to prepare some questions for them! Asking about their approach to employee relations or how they support their staff shows that you’re engaged and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining us at Fitzgerald!
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Specialist in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employee Relations Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing ER cases and your understanding of employment law, as this will show us you’re the right fit for our team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and how it relates to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Be Authentic:We want to see the real you! Don’t hesitate to share your personal experiences and insights related to employee relations. This helps us understand your approach and how you connect with clients during complex situations.
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our careers site. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fitzgerald
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on your knowledge of employment law and relevant policies before the interview. Being able to discuss specific laws and how they apply to real-world scenarios will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also practical in your approach.
✨Prepare for Complex Case Discussions
Expect to discuss complex ER cases during your interview. Prepare examples from your past experience where you successfully managed grievances or restructures, highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is key in this role, practice explaining complex ER issues in simple terms. You might be asked to demonstrate this skill, so think about how you can convey clarity and empathy in your responses.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Fitzgerald's Values
Research Fitzgerald’s approach to HR consultancy and their commitment to people-centric solutions. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to creating workplaces where employees thrive.
