Description
HR Advisor – Employee Relations Specialist
£34.42 per hour Umbrella | Initial 3-month contract | Likely ongoing thereafter
Hybrid – 3 days in Kings Cross, 2 days working from home
We are currently recruiting for an experienced HR Advisor / Employee Relations Specialist to join the People Directorate of a leading London social housing organisation.
Supporting thousands of residents and communities across London, the organisation is committed to delivering high-quality services while creating a positive and inclusive working environment for its employees. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ER professional to join a busy Employee Relations function and take ownership of a varied portfolio of cases.
The Role
As an HR Advisor – ER Specialist, you will independently manage a portfolio of employee relations cases, taking ownership from initial advice through to progression and outcome.
You will act as a trusted and credible advisor to managers, providing practical guidance on ER policy, process and employment law, while using sound professional judgement to identify and manage people-related risk.
The role will also involve identifying recurring themes within casework, supporting early intervention and contributing to the continuous improvement of ER practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of ER cases, taking ownership for progression and outcome.
- Provide credible and expert advice to managers on employee relations policy, processes and employment law.
- Assess risk within cases and appropriately escalate complex or high-risk matters.
- Provide clear, practical and pragmatic advice to managers.
- Produce high-quality ER documentation, including letters, reports and case summaries.
- Ensure documentation meets appropriate governance and legal standards.
- Maintain accurate and timely case records and contribute to ER data and reporting.
- Identify recurring issues and themes across casework and share insights to support continuous improvement.
- Work collaboratively with HR colleagues, HR Business Partners and wider People teams to provide a joined-up HR service.
- Support ER-related training and guidance by reinforcing good practice with managers.
- Promote fairness, consistency and inclusion throughout all people-related decisions.
- Ensure advice and processes remain aligned with relevant policies, employment legislation and regulation.
- Take a proactive approach to employee relations, helping managers address issues early and reduce unnecessary escalation.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Employee Relations professional who is confident managing a varied caseload independently and can provide pragmatic advice in a fast-paced environment.
You should have:
- A minimum of 3–5 years' proven experience working in Employee Relations / an ER-focused environment.
- Strong experience managing ER cases from initial advice through to resolution and outcome.
- Experience within a private-sector organisation would be highly desirable, although candidates from other sectors will be considered where they can demonstrate strong ER experience.
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment where cases need to be progressed efficiently and to clear timescales.
- A strong understanding of ER processes and the ability to quickly assess what action is required to move cases forward.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations processes.
- The ability to assess people-related risk and make sound, proportionate judgements.
- Confidence advising managers clearly and pragmatically, while knowing when to escalate more complex or high-risk matters.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and legally robust documentation.
- Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage a busy caseload and multiple priorities.
- A high level of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work collaboratively across HR and the wider organisation.
Private-sector ER experience would be particularly advantageous, as the successful candidate will need to be comfortable working at pace, understanding processes quickly and driving cases through efficiently.
CIPD Level 5 or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable experience at this level, is desirable.
Working Pattern
Hybrid working: minimum 3 days per week in the Kings Cross office, with 2 days working from home.
Tuesday is a mandatory office day.
Contract & Rate
- £34.42 per hour Umbrella
- Initial 3-month temporary contract, with a strong likelihood of extension/ongoing work
- Hybrid – Kings Cross / Home Working
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ER professional looking for a new contract within a large, established housing organisation where you can make a real impact across employee relations.