Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Overview

In this role you will lead and support a team within the Employee Relations function, building strong relationships with HR colleagues and business managers to deliver high-value ER service. You’ll act as a key contact to guide and coach the team, handling more experienced responsibilities and deputising as needed. You’ll manage end-to-end, high-volume dispute resolution while contributing to policy improvements and resource planning. The position starts in Northampton with an induction in the office, moving to a hybrid pattern. You’ll work to enable an efficient, commercially aware ER service aligned with the business goals.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Performance bonus
• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Buy-as-you-earn scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discounts across Group businesses

Responsibilities

• Support the Employee Relations Manager with caseloads and projects, deputising when appropriate
• Provide advice and guidance to ER Specialists to ensure consistent, impartial, commercial guidance
• Manage end-to-end high-volume dispute resolution (disciplinaries, appeals, grievances) and attend complex hearings when required
• Contribute to legislative updates and continuous improvement of ER policies, guidelines and letters
• Plan resource needs, monitor service levels, and manage workload distribution for efficient service delivery
• Coach and develop the ER team; support Head of HR and ER Manager with workload and ad-hoc requests
• Deputise for the Manager in daily team management, recruitment, workload allocation and service level monitoring

Key requirements

• Strong ER background with 2+ years in a similar role within a large multi-site organisation
• Experience case-managing difficult and complex grievance, appeal, and long-term sickness cases
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure
• Collaborative work style within the HR team
• Resilient with the ability to overcome obstacles
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation
• Good understanding of data protection principles

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Resilience
• Employment legislation knowledge
• Data protection principles
• Case management of ER cases

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