Employee Relations Specialist (12 Month FTC - Maternity Cover)

Job Reference brandontrust/TP/19748/1658

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Job Introduction

Employee Relations Specialist (12 Month FTC - Maternity Cover)

Salary: £41,000 - £47,500 per annum

 Hybrid working – based at Draycott House with travel across our operational locations37.5 hours per week12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

We're looking for an experienced Employee Relations Specialist to join our People Team on a 12-month fixed-term basis.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting managers across the organisation, providing expert advice on complex employee relations matters and helping to shape a positive workplace culture. You'll be a trusted advisor, balancing employment law expertise with practical solutions that support both our colleagues and the people we support.

What you'll be doing

You'll lead on a wide range of employee relations matters, providing expert guidance and support across the organisation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied caseload of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, probation, flexible working and unauthorised absence cases.
• Leading and supporting complex, sensitive and high-risk employee relations cases.
• Conducting workplace investigations and supporting formal hearings and appeals.
• Providing expert advice on employment law, policies and employee relations best practice.
• Supporting organisational change activity, consultations and workforce planning initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with Regional Managers, Locality Managers and operational leaders, becoming a trusted source of advice and support.
• Coaching managers to build confidence and capability in managing people issues effectively.
• Analysing employee relations trends and providing insights to support workforce planning and decision-making.
• Supporting ACAS and Employment Tribunal matters where required.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone with strong employee relations experience, excellent judgement and the ability to build credibility quickly.

You'll have:

• CIPD Level 7 qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience in an Employee Relations, HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisory role.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters from start to finish.
• Experience supporting organisational change, consultation processes or workforce planning activity.
• Excellent investigation, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The confidence to provide clear, pragmatic advice to managers at all levels.
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach.

Experience within social care, healthcare, housing, charity or another regulated environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why join Brandon Trust?

This is an opportunity to take on a highly visible role where your expertise will have a real impact. You'll work closely with managers across the organisation, influence key people decisions and help create positive workplace relationships that enable colleagues to do their best work.

In return, you'll benefit from:

• A supportive and collaborative People Team
• A role with autonomy, variety and influence
• Hybrid working arrangements
• The chance to contribute to an organisation that makes a genuine difference to people's lives every day
• Ongoing training and development
• Contributory pension
• DBS check paid for
• Wagestream access
• Discounts including Blue Light Card, EE perks and Costco membership
• Refer a Friend payments
• Wellbeing helplines
• Health Cash Plan

Interested?

If you're an experienced Employee Relations Specialist, Senior HR Advisor, HR Business Partner or Employee Relations Manager looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: Brandon Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Closing date: 17 July 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early applications are encouraged.

Join us and use your expertise to help create a positive, inclusive workplace where people feel supported, valued and able to succeed.