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Employee Relations Specialist

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Employee Relations Consultant
Fixed-Term Contract until April 2027
Salary: £35,000 - £38,000 + benefits
Location: Hybrid working (3 days in the office, reducing to 2 fixed days plus 1 additional office day per month from November)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
HR Heads is delighted to be partnering with a Southampton based client in the search for an experienced Employee Relations Consultant to join their People team on a fixed-term contract until April 2027.
This opportunity has arisen to provide cover for an Employee Relations professional who has been seconded onto a business project. Joining an established ER function, you'll play a key role in supporting managers and stakeholders across a broad range of employee relations matters while helping to manage a busy and varied caseload.
Working within a large and fast-paced organisation, you'll provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice on complex people issues, balancing risk with practical solutions and ensuring a positive employee experience throughout.
The Role
Reporting into the Employee Relations Manager, you'll be responsible for managing a diverse caseload of employee relations matters and coaching managers to confidently handle people issues.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Providing expert advice on employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, sickness absence and flexible working cases.
- Supporting managers through investigations, hearings and formal processes.
- Advising on restructures, reorganisations, consultations and redundancy situations.
- Managing a high volume of cases across a large and complex employee population.
- Working closely with HR colleagues and senior stakeholders to ensure consistent and compliant people practices.
- Providing guidance on employment legislation, policies and best practice.
- Supporting policy reviews and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Delivering training and coaching to managers on employee relations processes and procedures.
- Producing clear, professional correspondence and documentation relating to casework.
- Supporting wider People projects as required.
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About You
We're looking for an experienced HR or Employee Relations professional who enjoys building relationships, influencing stakeholders and providing practical solutions.
You'll ideally have:
- Previous employee relations experience within a large, complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application.
- Experience managing disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance cases.
- The ability to assess risk and provide balanced, commercial advice.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Confidence working with senior leaders and challenging constructively when required.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience supporting consultations, restructures or organisational change activity.
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience), with Level 7 advantageous.
- A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach.


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Applications from experienced HR Advisors or HR Generalists with a significant employee relations focus are also welcomed.
What's on Offer?
- Fixed-term contract until April 2027
- Salary circa £35,000-£38,000
- Hybrid working arrangement
- Free parking
- Supportive and collaborative People team
- Exposure to a broad range of complex and interesting ER casework
- Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a busy function
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment and enjoys managing a varied ER caseload. Whether you're an established ER Consultant or a strong HR Advisor looking to specialise further, you'll join a knowledgeable team where your expertise will be valued from day one.
To apply, please submit your CV as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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