Bright Horizons UK
Employee Relations Advisor (Fixed Term Contract)
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Employee Relations Partner (9–12 Month FTC)
Full Time | 37.5 Hours per Week
Hybrid Working | UK Travel Required
Northampton / London / Home Based with travel
Full UK Driving Licence Essential
Closing Date: 7th August 2026
At Bright Horizons, our support teams play a vital role in enabling over 270 nurseries across the UK to deliver outstanding care and education to more than 10,000 children. With 98% of our nurseries rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, we're proud to support our people in making a real difference every day.
We're looking for an experienced Employee Relations Partner to join our HR team on a 9–12 month fixed-term contract. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly skilled ER professional who enjoys coaching managers, managing complex cases, and providing commercially focused HR advice in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.
What You'll Be Doing
As an Employee Relations Partner, you'll provide expert guidance and support to managers and employees on a broad range of employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, company policies, and best practice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing a high-volume, complex ER caseload including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and performance cases
- Coaching and developing managers to handle employee issues confidently and effectively
- Providing practical, risk-based employment law advice
- Supporting organisational change projects including restructures, redundancies, and redeployment processes
- Using HR data and KPIs to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Working closely with HR Business Partners, Legal, and Operations teams to deliver effective people solutions
- Contributing to continuous improvement of ER processes, policies, and manager capability
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What We're Looking For
You'll be an experienced HR or Employee Relations professional with:
- Significant experience managing complex employee relations cases independently
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience coaching and influencing managers at all levels
- A proven background supporting multi-site operations
- Experience of organisational change activity and consultation processes
- Strong analytical skills and confidence using HR data to inform decision-making
- CIPD qualification or equivalent professional development
- Experience within childcare, education, healthcare, retail, hospitality, or other multi-site environments would be advantageous.
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Why Join Bright Horizons?
We offer a supportive, flexible, and inclusive culture where our people can thrive. Benefits include:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Discounted childcare
- Employee appreciation and recognition programmes
- Annual Gala Awards Evening
- Retail, leisure, and holiday discounts
- Comprehensive wellbeing support and resources
- The opportunity to work for a Great Place to Work organisation for 20 consecutive years
Safeguarding and Inclusion
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to safer recruitment practices and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.
Apply today and help us continue to create brighter futures for children, families, and colleagues across the UK.
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