At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage complex employee relations cases and provide expert advice to managers.
- Company: Join a leading UK law firm with a supportive HR team.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for ongoing training and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee relations and organisational change.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in employee relations and strong knowledge of UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham, Manchester, Northampton (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
About the Role: We're recruiting for an Employee Relations Advisor to join the HR team of a leading UK law firm. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced ER professional to act as the subject matter expert on employee relations, supporting managers across a broad range of complex and sensitive people matters. You'll work closely with HR Business Partners, HR Advisors and specialist teams to deliver commercially focused, legally compliant employee relations advice while helping to shape best practice across the business. This role offers the opportunity to influence organisational change, improve manager capability and contribute to wider people initiatives in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Employee Relations Case Management
- Manage a wide range of complex employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance and conduct matters
- Lead end-to-end investigations, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes
- Provide commercially focused advice and constructive challenge to managers
- Support complex cases including Employment Tribunals, ACAS negotiations, COT3 agreements and settlement agreements where required
- Risk, Compliance & Governance
- Identify and mitigate employee relations risks across the business
- Ensure HR policies and procedures are applied consistently
- Keep up to date with employment legislation and recommend policy improvements where appropriate
- Stakeholder Support & Coaching
- Build strong relationships with managers across the business
- Coach and develop managers to improve confidence in handling employee relations matters
- Facilitate mediation and early intervention to resolve workplace issues effectively
- Data & Continuous Improvement
- Analyse employee relations data to identify trends and emerging risks
- Produce meaningful reports and recommendations for HR stakeholders
- Contribute to continuous improvement of ER processes, templates and ways of working
- Organisational Change
- Provide ER expertise on restructures, redundancies, TUPE transfers and changes to terms and conditions
- Support business change programmes, ensuring employee impact is managed fairly and compliantly
- Work collaboratively with wider People teams to deliver a consistent employee experience
Candidate Profile:
- Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases independently
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application
- Experience conducting investigations and advising on disciplinary, grievance and performance matters
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Strong analytical ability with experience interpreting people data
- High levels of discretion, judgement and emotional intelligence
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong Microsoft Office and HR systems knowledge
Desirable:
- Experience within professional services or another regulated environment
- Exposure to Employment Tribunals, ACAS, settlement agreements or complex litigation
- Experience supporting organisational change, including redundancies or TUPE
- CIPD qualified or working towards qualification
What Our Client Offers:
- Hybrid working model
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
- Opportunity to join a highly regarded HR team within a leading professional services organisation
- Exposure to complex employee relations work and business-wide projects
- Ongoing training, professional development and career progression
- Inclusive, collaborative and supportive working culture
How to Apply:
If you're an experienced Employee Relations professional looking to take the next step in your career within a progressive and people-focused organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
About Us:
We are a recruitment agency specialising in HR, legal and professional services appointments across the UK. We partner with leading organisations to connect talented professionals with opportunities that offer genuine career development, meaningful work and long-term progression.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Advisor in Birmingham
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at PYVITAL!
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If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at PYVITAL.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Advisor in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at PYVITAL. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to PYVITAL and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at PYVITAL. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to PYVITAL's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at PYVITAL
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with PYVITAL.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at PYVITAL will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact PYVITAL and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
