Employee Relations Advisor

Location: Manchester Campus, with regular travel to other UKMC campuses as required

Department: HR

Reporting To: HR Manager / Head of HR

Working Days / Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Job Purpose

To deliver a high-quality employee relations service across UK Management College, providing expert advice and guidance on a broad range of people matters. The role will focus on managing ER cases within an education environment, ensuring compliance with UK employment law while supporting academic and professional services staff in a fast-paced, student-focused setting. The postholder will be primarily based in Manchester but will be required to travel across UKMC campuses, including Manchester, Newcastle, Derby, and Sunderland, in order to support investigations, hearings, meetings, and other employee relations matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Employee Relations Case Management Manage a full caseload of ER matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence, safeguarding-related concerns, performance, and capability cases. Lead and support investigations, hearings, and appeals in line with college policies, procedures, and education sector standards. Ensure all casework is managed fairly, consistently, confidentially, and within appropriate timescales. Prepare clear and accurate case documentation, correspondence, reports, and outcome letters.
• Advisory and Stakeholder Support Provide expert ER advice and guidance to academic leaders, department heads, line managers, and senior stakeholders. Coach and support managers in confidently addressing people issues in line with policy and best practice. Support decision-making by balancing legal compliance, employee wellbeing, and the operational needs of the College. Build effective working relationships across multiple campuses and departments.
• Education Sector Focus Apply an understanding of the education sector, including challenges related to academic staff, student-facing roles, and safeguarding considerations. Support ER matters linked to student interactions, professional conduct, attendance, and academic performance expectations. Work collaboratively with safeguarding, compliance, and wider college leadership teams where appropriate.
• Policy and Compliance Ensure compliance with UK employment law, safeguarding requirements, and internal college policies and procedures. Support the review, development, and continuous improvement of HR and ER policies in line with education sector best practice. Promote fair, consistent, and legally compliant people management practices across the organisation.
• Data and Reporting Monitor and analyse ER trends, including absence, grievances, disciplinaries, and capability matters. Produce reports, insights, and recommendations for HR leadership to support organisational improvement and risk management. Maintain accurate and confidential employee relations records.
• Employee Engagement and Culture Promote a positive, inclusive, and supportive working environment. Contribute to initiatives that improve staff wellbeing, engagement, and workplace culture. Support the College in fostering professional standards and positive working relationships across campuses.

Key Skills and Experience

• Essential Proven experience in an Employee Relations or HR Advisory role within the education sector, such as a college, university, or school. Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice. Experience managing complex ER cases independently from start to finish. Experience supporting investigations, hearings, and formal case processes. Excellent stakeholder management skills, particularly when working with academic leaders and senior staff. Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing, and conflict resolution skills. High level of discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality when handling sensitive matters. Ability and willingness to travel across UKMC campuses as required.
• Desirable CIPD Level 5 or above, or working towards it. Experience working in a multi-site or growing education organisation. Knowledge of safeguarding practices within education. Experience producing ER data, reports, and trend analysis.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solution-focused.
• Resilient, calm, and able to manage a high-volume caseload.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Collaborative and able to build credibility quickly with a range of stakeholders.
• Flexible and adaptable in supporting multiple campuses and changing priorities.

Why Join UK Management College

• Opportunity to play a key role in shaping a positive employee relations culture within a growing education provider.
• Collaborative and supportive HR team environment.
• Exposure to a diverse and dynamic workforce across multiple campuses.
• Opportunity to make a visible impact across both academic and professional services functions.

Additional Requirement

The role is primarily based in Manchester; however, travel to other UKMC locations, including Newcastle, Derby, Sunderland, and across the three Manchester campuses, will be required in line with business and casework needs.