Employment Relations Advisor in Leeds

Salary: Up to £35,000 dependant on experience. This role is a hybrid with some travel required across our locations in the North West, Yorkshire and Midlands, with occasional group wide meetings across our locations in the UK.

We are the highest Ofsted-rated provider in the country for special education and care. Our teams are fulfilled by the idea of making even the smallest positive changes in our young people, so we celebrate the little things.

For children with complex needs, the level of care and education we provide must go above and beyond. That’s what drives us here at Witherslack Group. With our high staff-to-child ratio and in-house clinical teams, we’re proud to have won a reputation for excellence and market leading OFSTED ratings.

We’re looking for a proactive and experienced Employment Relations Advisor to join Witherslack Group and play a vital role in supporting managers across a regional area with employee relations matters. In this fast-paced position, you will provide expert guidance on disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, flexible working, attendance, and capability issues, ensuring managers feel confident and supported in their people decisions.

You’ll work closely with senior HR colleagues, Head Teachers, and Registered Managers to deliver effective and innovative HR solutions that align with our evolving business needs and growth plans. As a trusted advisor, you will manage a high volume of employee relations cases with accuracy and attention to detail, while using HR metrics to influence decision-making and improve organisational performance.

Flexibility to travel within your region and occasionally beyond is essential, as you collaborate across locations to embed HR policies and support continuous improvement. If you thrive on variety, enjoy solving complex people challenges, and want to contribute to an organisation dedicated to delivering better outcomes for young people, this role is a great opportunity for you.

Here at Witherslack Group, we celebrate everyone’s differences as that’s what makes us the best at what we do. Our young people come from all walks of life, diverse backgrounds and with different needs – and our workforce reflects that diversity, so that our teams can engage, encourage and inspire our young people to be themselves. We’ll give you the chance to build an exciting career in a fast-growing organisation, where you’re free to achieve your potential.

Here’s what we need from you:

• Significant experience working as an Employment Relations Advisor in a fast-paced environment with a strong focus on employee relations practices and managing a high volume of ER cases.
• Level 3 CIPD qualification or equivalent, demonstrating solid HR knowledge and professionalism.
• Proven ability to provide independent advice and make confident decisions, offering practical solutions while anticipating and overcoming challenges.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to build and maintain credible business relationships quickly, influencing and challenging constructively when needed.
• Highly confidential and capable of handling sensitive situations with professionalism and discretion.
• Proactive, well-organized, and able to manage multiple priorities across stakeholders, with flexibility to travel within and beyond the region as required.

We know you’re going to do great things. For your hard work and commitment, we reward you with the best salary and benefits package in the care sector. With us, you’ll get to make a genuine difference to the lives of our young people – plus you’ll get:

• Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 dependant on experience
• Holiday: You’ll work hard at WG, so you’ll be rewarded with 7 weeks’ holiday (including bank holidays)
• Flexible benefits package: meaning you can increase/decrease your holiday allowance, pension and life insurance
• Wellbeing: a host of wellbeing tools and advice including employee assistance
• Medical cover so you can claim back the cost of things like an opticians or dentist appointment and a host of high-street discounts
• Beautiful working environments with the very best facilities
• A recommend a friend scheme that offers a £1,000 bonus every time

The Witherslack Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check (we will cover the cost). We are an equal opportunities employer welcoming applications from all sections of the community.