Employee Relations Specialist in Exeter

Employee Relations Specialist Location: Exeter (1 day per week onsite) Rate: £300 per day (Umbrella) Contract: 6 months Working Pattern: Hybrid (1 day onsite per week) Job Purpose The People team plays a key role in shaping organisational performance and employee experience. As an Employee Relations Specialist Partner – Casework, you will lead and develop the ER casework function, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent and legally compliant service. You will manage complex employee relations cases, provide expert employment law advice, and act as a key escalation point for sensitive and high-risk matters. The role also focuses on strengthening ER capability across the organisation through coaching, service improvement, and continuous enhancement of casework processes. Key Responsibilities * Act as the Employee Relations subject matter expert, leading on complex casework including disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence management cases. * Provide expert advice and escalation support for complex ER cases, including those with potential Employment Tribunal risk. * Lead and develop the ER casework function, ensuring consistency, compliance, and high-quality outcomes aligned to employment law and policy. * Drive continuous improvement across ER processes, case management approaches, and service delivery. * Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, including senior leaders, HR colleagues, Trade Unions (e.g. Prospect), and external providers such as Occupational Health and EAP services. * Coach and support managers in handling employee relations issues effectively and confidently. * Use people data, metrics, and reporting to identify trends and inform proactive ER interventions and improvements. * Champion ethical, fair, and consistent people practices that enhance employee experience. * Support organisational change and contribute to innovation within the People function. Key Requirements * Significant Employee Relations experience within a complex organisation * Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice * Proven experience managing complex ER casework, including escalated and high-risk cases * Experience influencing and advising senior stakeholders * Trade union engagement experience (desirable) * Experience using HR data and metrics to improve service delivery * CIPD qualification (or equivalent professional experience) Success Profile * Making effective decisions in complex ER scenarios * Strong leadership and influencing skills * Ability to manage a high-quality, customer-focused ER service * Delivery at pace across multiple priorities Values * Ethical and fair approach to people practice * Collaborative working across teams and stakeholders * Continuous improvement mindset * Strong focus on employee experience and service quality