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- Tasks: Provide HR expertise and support to veterinary practices across the UK.
- Company: Join Pets at Home, a leader in pet care with a people-focused culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in colleague experiences while supporting pet care.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR advisory roles and knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Location: We welcome applications from those looking for hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week) from our Handforth office in Cheshire. Contract: 12 Month FTC.
As a Colleague Relations Advisor, you’ll deliver timely, commercial HR expertise to Joint Venture Partner led Veterinary Practices across the UK. Acting as a trusted expert, you will guide Practice Owners, Business Development Partners and line managers through the full range of colleague-related matters—enabling fair, legally compliant and people-centred outcomes that protect both colleagues and commercial interests. Your work sits at the heart of our ambition to build the world’s best pet care platform by creating a brilliant colleague experience: confident, well-supported people provide even better care for pets and customers. To succeed, you’ll blend sound employment law knowledge with resilience, the confidence to navigate ambiguity and the curiosity to challenge established thinking constructively.
Key Stakeholders Include:
- Practice Owners (JVPs), Business Development Partners and regional leadership teams
- Colleague Relations Manager, Colleague Relations Specialists and wider People Services colleagues
- Retail, Grooming, Distribution and Support Office People teams, ensuring a joined-up approach to colleague relations
Key Responsibilities
- Proactive HR Advice — Provide clear, pragmatic guidance on policies, procedures and ER legislation to Practice Owners and BDPs, mostly via phone or email, occasionally face-to-face for complex or sensitive cases.
- End-to-End Case Management — Own a varied portfolio of colleague relations cases, prioritising by business impact and legal risk to ensure timely progression and robust conclusions.
- Coaching and Capability Building — Equip Practice Owners, line managers and BDPs with the confidence and skills to handle people matters independently through coaching, feedback and tailored templates.
- Continuous Improvement and Compliance — Monitor employment legislation and industry trends, translating changes into practical guidance, updated templates and policy recommendations.
- Collaboration and Project Support — Partner with Colleague Relations Specialists and the wider People team to deliver strategic people projects that drive our pet-care mission forward.
- Values-Led Performance — Live our Pets at Home values, demonstrating resilience, adaptability and a proactive mindset in a fast-moving environment.
About You
Essential
- Solid experience in an HR advisory or ER-focused role, managing a broad range of employee relations cases end-to-end
- Up-to-date working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Proven ability to balance commercial considerations with empathetic, people-centred outcomes
- Strong coaching, influencing and communication skills, with the confidence to challenge and guide senior stakeholders
- Comfortable working at pace, prioritising competing demands and adapting to change
Desirable
- CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent qualification
- Experience supporting multi-site or franchised operations, ideally within retail, healthcare or veterinary sectors
- Familiarity with HR case management systems and data-driven decision making
Colleague Relations Advisor - 12 Month FTC - 39 Hours in Cheadle employer: Pets at Home
Contact Detail:
Pets at Home Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Colleague Relations Advisor - 12 Month FTC - 39 Hours in Cheadle
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR and veterinary sectors. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common HR scenarios and think about how you'd handle them. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you have experience with coaching or managing employee relations cases, be sure to highlight that in conversations. Real-life examples can make you stand out as a candidate who can hit the ground running.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at Pets at Home.
We think you need these skills to ace Colleague Relations Advisor - 12 Month FTC - 39 Hours in Cheadle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Colleague Relations Advisor. Highlight your HR advisory experience and any relevant employment law knowledge. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to create a brilliant colleague experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for HR and how you can contribute to our pet care platform. Don’t forget to mention your coaching and communication skills, as these are key for this role.
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've managed employee relations cases or provided HR advice. We love seeing real-life scenarios that demonstrate your ability to balance commercial needs with people-centred outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pets at Home
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on UK employment law and HR best practices before your interview. Being able to discuss relevant legislation confidently will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also ready to provide the commercial HR expertise they need.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've coached or influenced others in previous roles. This is key for a Colleague Relations Advisor, so think about specific situations where you’ve helped colleagues navigate complex issues or improve their skills.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Adaptability
Be ready to discuss times when you faced ambiguity or change in your previous roles. Highlight how you managed these situations effectively, as this role requires someone who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with Their Values
Familiarise yourself with Pets at Home's values and be prepared to discuss how you embody these in your work. Showing that you align with their mission to create a brilliant colleague experience will set you apart from other candidates.
