Employee Relations Advisor

We’re seeking an ER Advisor to join our growing People team which will be based in our Leeds office on a hybrid basis. In this newly created role, you’ll deliver high quality, timely and pragmatic employee relations advice, expertly guiding managers through both formal and informal processes to achieve fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes. You’ll act as a trusted partner to the business, balancing risk, best practice and commercial priorities while driving early resolution of people issues. A key focus of the role will be to coach and upskill managers, building their confidence and capability to handle employee matters effectively, and helping to raise people management standards across the board. You’ll also play an active role in shaping and continuously improving ER policies and practice ensuring they are fit for the future.

Delivery & Planning

• Manage ER caseloads (disciplinary, grievance, performance, sickness) ensuring consistency, accurate recording and compliance with employment law and company policy.
• Provide advice and coaching to managers on ER matters, enabling timely issue resolution and building capability to manage cases confidently and independently.
• Develop and improve ER frameworks including policies, processes, guidance, toolkits and template documentation, aligned to best practice and organisational needs.
• Drive proactive ER improvement through trend analysis, risk identification and delivery of ER related training and communications.

Relationship Management

• Build strong working relationships with managers, HR colleagues and key stakeholders to deliver a consistent ER service.
• Provide clear, balanced and pragmatic advice, outlining options, risks and recommended approaches.
• Coach and guide managers to take ownership of people issues, encouraging early, informal resolution where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively across the wider HR Services function to support people processes.
• Seek feedback from managers and colleagues to continuously improve ER service delivery and ways of working.

Operational Delivery

• Provide timely, high quality ER advice in line with service standards, supporting complex policy interpretation and ensuring managers understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Support and attend ER processes including investigations, hearings and appeals, consultation, TUPE and redundancy activities, preparing documentation, accurate records, letters and notes as required.
• Coach and upskill managers throughout ER procedures, using data, insight and practical guidance to build confidence and proactively manage absence, performance and ER risk.
• Use data, reporting and legal insight to identify trends, influence improvements in policy and practice, and ensure ways of working remain aligned with current employment law.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in managing complex ER cases.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and its application to casework.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting managers through formal processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyse information, identify patterns and propose solutions.
• Previous experience working in a large, complex or unionised environment.
• Ideally, exposure to policy review or development.
• Previous experience in the delivery of manager training or coaching.

Benefits

• 25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays.
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution.
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle).
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice).
• Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.