At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage Employee Relations cases and deliver HR support across the employee lifecycle.
- Company: Global industrial organisation with a strong UK presence and supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid working after probation.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth in a complex, multi-site organisation.
- Why this job: Join a forward-thinking team and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in a unionised environment and strong knowledge of UK Employment Law.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a People & Employee Relations Advisor to join a UK HR team supporting a large, complex, multi-site, unionised operational environment.
Client Details: A global industrial organisation with a long-standing UK presence, offering the scale, complexity, and operational challenge suited to HR professionals looking to deepen their Employee Relations experience. This position is fully onsite during probation, based in St Austell, Cornwall, moving to a hybrid model (2 days working from home, 3 days onsite) once probation is completed. A relocation package is available for candidates who need to move.
Description: This is a hands-on, operational role with a strong focus on Employee Relations alongside core People Operations delivery. You'll be a visible, trusted HR presence on site, working closely with managers and employees to ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant people practices. This is a practical HR role balancing:
- Employee Relations (c.60%) - managing ER cases from end to end
- People Operations (c.40%) - delivering accurate, timely HR support across the employee lifecycle
You'll support managers across multiple operational sites, providing pragmatic ER advice, driving process discipline, and helping improve consistency in people practices. Manage a range of ER cases including disciplinaries, grievances, absence, performance, and conduct issues. Lead investigations, prepare documentation, and support formal hearings. Provide risk-aware, practical advice in line with UK Employment Law and policy. Deliver HR operational support across onboarding, contracts, changes, leavers, and exit processes. Maintain accurate HR and ER records and support reporting on ER trends. Act as a first point of contact for HR queries for managers and employees. Support continuous improvement of HR and ER processes, templates, and documentation.
Profile: This role will suit someone who is hands-on, pragmatic, and confident working in a unionised operational environment.
Essential experience:
- Proven experience operating in a unionised environment
- Direct ownership of Employee Relations cases
- Strong working knowledge of UK Employment Law
- Experience within a complex, multi-site organisation
Highly desirable background: Mining, rail, manufacturing, construction, or other safety-critical / heavily regulated sectors.
You'll also bring:
- Understanding of shift patterns and complex pay structures
- A process-driven mindset with the confidence to challenge and improve what exists
- Strong prioritisation skills and ability to work independently
- Clear examples of continuous improvement within HR or ER activity
- Strong attention to detail and confidence working with HR data
- Experience using Workday or a similar HRIS (strongly preferred)
Job Offer: Competitive salary. Opportunity to work in a supportive and professional environment. Comprehensive benefits package including a relocation package (details to be confirmed). Hybrid working after 6 month probation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated People & Employee Relations Advisor to contribute to a forward-thinking organisation. If you meet the above criteria, we encourage you to apply today!
People & Employee Relations Advisor (St. Austell) in St Austell employer: Michael Page Finance
Contact Detail:
Michael Page Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People & Employee Relations Advisor (St. Austell) in St Austell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Getting insider info can give you an edge and show your genuine interest in the company.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common Employee Relations scenarios. Think about how you'd handle them and be ready to share your experiences. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge of UK Employment Law during interviews. It’s crucial for this role, so brush up on key regulations and be prepared to discuss how they apply in real-world situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace People & Employee Relations Advisor (St. Austell) in St Austell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the People & Employee Relations Advisor role. Highlight your experience in managing ER cases and your knowledge of UK Employment Law. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your hands-on experience in a unionised environment and how you've improved HR processes in the past.
Showcase Your People Skills: This role is all about being a trusted HR presence, so don’t forget to showcase your people skills. Mention any experience you have in building relationships with managers and employees, and how you’ve handled sensitive situations in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being considered. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page Finance
✨Know Your Employee Relations Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK Employment Law and common Employee Relations issues. Be ready to discuss specific cases you've handled in the past, especially in a unionised environment. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Approach
This role is all about being hands-on, so prepare examples that highlight your proactive approach to resolving ER cases. Think about times when you’ve taken the initiative to improve processes or support managers effectively. This will demonstrate your suitability for the operational nature of the job.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company’s values and culture before the interview. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs can set you apart. It’s also a good idea to think about how you can contribute to their goals, especially in a complex, multi-site environment.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions. Ask about their current challenges in Employee Relations or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.