Employee Relations Business Partner in Wakefield

We are excited to introduce a brand-new opportunity to join our People Team as an Employee Relations Business Partner. This is a high-impact role for an experienced ER professional who thrives on solving complex people challenges, influencing leaders, and shaping fair, consistent, and legally sound employee relations practice across a large, diverse organisation.

Together Housing Group is one of the largest housing associations in the North of England, managing over 38,000 homes. We are a non-profit organisation, meaning any money we make is invested back into the company for the benefit of our residents and local communities.

As an organisation, we are committed to having a Diverse and Inclusive workforce. We would therefore welcome applications from candidates with any of the nine protected characteristics. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Requirements

• Act as the organisation's subject matter expert on complex employee relations issues.
• Provide specialist advice and oversight on investigations, disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, and suspension cases.
• Ensure ER processes are managed consistently, in line with employment legislation, ACAS Codes of Practice, and internal policies.
• Design and deliver engaging training programmes to build managers' confidence and capability in handling ER matters.
• Coach managers and senior leaders to anticipate, manage, and resolve issues early, reducing risk and improving outcomes.
• Act as a mediator in complex or sensitive cases, supporting fair and timely resolution.
• Analyse ER trends and hotspots, working with senior leaders to develop targeted action plans.
• Drive a consistent, high-quality ER approach across the Group.
• Build strong relationships with Trade Unions and Employee Representatives.
• Contribute to projects that enhance our reputation as a sector-leading employer.
• Keep the People Team and managers up to date with changes in employment law and best practice.
• Act as a professional ambassador for the People Team, internally and externally.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Extensive experience in operational HR with a strong focus on complex employee relations casework.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law, case law, HR best practice, and Codes of Practice, with the ability to apply this pragmatically.
• Experience working within a unionised environment.
• Proven experience of coaching and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience designing and delivering training and development programmes.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience using people data and HR systems to inform decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident, credible, and collaborative approach.
• Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple complex cases simultaneously.
• Flexible, proactive, and solutions-focused mindset.
• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent), or working towards.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Relevant employment law qualification.
• Accredited workplace mediation qualification (desirable).
• Ability to travel across office bases and sites as required.

Benefits

In return, we are offering the successful candidate a starting salary of £46,406 per annum - Pay award pending, 27 days holiday (rising to 32 over 5 years' service) + bank holidays. Hybrid working - you will manage your week by dividing your time between working in our offices, on site, and working from home. Your presence at our Blackburn, Halifax, or Wakefield office may be required for meetings and to engage with stakeholders. You can work from any location, provided you can attend the office at least once a week. You will be working 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday (occasional evening or weekend working depending on business needs). Working arrangements are flexible in line with our Smart Working culture so that we deliver an excellent and accessible service for customers.

THG reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient numbers of applicants are received. Therefore, please apply without delay. Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form. Due to the nature of the role involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post is subject to a Basic Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.