Employee Relations Advisor in Bradford

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a salary up to £45k per annum, depending on experience
• Annual performance related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Employee Relations Advisor progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we are moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in Summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future, with a hybrid working arrangement in place, a mix of office and home working.

Work type: Permanent role, working full time between a working window of 8:00am-6:00pm, Monday-Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Employee Relations Advisor to join the People function at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

Where you fit in: You will provide outcome focused, risk assessed advice and support to the People Leader community on all matters relating to Employee Relations. You will ensure this is in line with employment law, best practice and business needs, and supports cultural change. You will be responsible for the development and review of up to date, easy to use People policies and supporting toolkits for People Leaders, and the provision of training on ER-related People policies. You will actively monitor People data related to specific business areas to ensure matters are being dealt with proactively and in line with best practice. You will consult and engage with recognised trade unions to foster an effective and productive employee relations culture. You will be responsible for consulting and engaging with the trade unions on policy development and review.

Some of the key responsibilities will include:

• Provide advice and support to the business on all matters relating to Employee Relations, including supporting complex Employee Relations cases and hearings such as disciplinary, grievance, bullying & harassment and performance improvement processes.
• Provide coaching and training to People Leaders to enhance their people management capabilities and foster a positive Employee Relations climate.
• Manage data to highlight areas of recurring cases and case analysis to allow for proactive interventions in partnership with HRBPs and the wider People team.
• Coach, train support People Leaders to enhance their knowledge and experience of Employee Relations.
• Provide toolkits to support People Leaders in implementing ER related policies and procedures.
• Provide specialist support and knowledge to the wider People function to ensure that our Employee Relations practices align to our strategic plans and work collaboratively with other People colleagues to implement initiatives.

What skills and qualifications are we looking for?

• CIPD qualified to level 5 (or working towards).
• Substantial experience managing Employee Relations casework including complex cases resolved through non-typical routes.
• Previous experience with Employment Tribunal cases.
• Solid working knowledge of all Employee Relations processes, employment legislation and best practice.
• Experience of working in a highly unionised environment.
• Experience of working for a large, multisite employer.
• Experienced in the continuous improvement of systems and processes.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into plain English.
• Strong coaching skills to support People Leaders with a range of people related activity.
• Experience of advising on disciplinary cases up to and including dismissal.
• Experience of advising on appeal panels.
• Highly developed problem solving and conflict management skills.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

If you’ve got experience in HR and Employee Relations and want to help us provide guidance to our People Leader community on all matters relating to Employee Relations, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Please complete the online application process and submit a covering letter and CV outlining your suitability for the role.

Recruitment Process - Closing Date 27th February, 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. No agencies please.