Job Specification: HR Business Partner (Employee Relations Focus)

The role will be to work within the recruitment industry, you will be part of a £250+ million turnover organisation with around 20 offices worldwide. The role will be focused on employee relations, working directly with the HR manager.

Location: Manchester

Salary: £40,000 – £50,000 per annum

Reports to: Head of HR

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Position Summary

The HR Business Partner (Employee Relations) will act as a trusted advisor to managers and leaders across the organisation, providing expert guidance on all aspects of employee relations (ER). This role focuses on managing complex ER cases, supporting organisational change, and ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant HR practices. The HRBP will partner with the business to enhance employee engagement, encourage positive working relationships, and drive a high-performance culture.

START: ASAP

SALARY: £40,000 - £50,000

LOCATION: Manchester, Glasgow also considered

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Case Management

• Lead and manage complex ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, performance, and appeal processes.
• Provide high-quality advice to managers ensuring compliance with employment legislation, internal policies, and best practice.
• Support early intervention and proactive ER strategies to prevent escalation of issues.
• Document and track all ER activities ensuring accurate and confidential recordkeeping.

Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships with managers to understand operational needs and workforce challenges.
• Coach and develop people leaders to enhance their ER capability and decision-making.
• Work with senior stakeholders to create people solutions that support business performance and employee wellbeing.

Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Review, update, and implement HR policies to reflect legal changes, business priorities, and best practice.
• Ensure organisation-wide consistency in policy application.
• Partner with legal advisors on complex or high-risk cases where necessary.

Organisational Development & Change

• Provide HR support for organisational change initiatives including restructures, consultation and processes.
• Conduct impact assessments, support consultation meetings, and manage communications to employees.
• Identify trends in ER data to recommend proactive improvements to culture, leadership capability, and working practices.

Employee Engagement & Workforce Wellbeing

• Partner with HR colleagues to deliver engagement initiatives and promote a positive workplace culture.
• Provide insight from ER trends to shape wellbeing, D&I, and engagement strategies.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• CIPD Level 4 qualification (or equivalent experience).
• Proven experience managing complex ER cases end-to-end in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience advising and influencing managers at all levels.

Desirable:

• Experience in a business partnering or advisory HR role.
• CIPD Level 5 or willingness to work toward it.
• Experience supporting restructures, consultations, or other organisational change.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication and influencing skills at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• High attention to detail and strong documentation skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and objective in challenging situations.
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to work autonomously.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Integrity, confidentiality, and resilience.

Working Conditions

• Based in central Manchester with office based working for five days per week onsite.
• Occasional travel to other sites may be required. UK primarily.
• Collaboration with HR colleagues, senior leaders, operational managers, and external partners.

The role would be based from our Manchester office, the company has 10+ offices in the UK, the HR team are based from the Manchester and Glasgow offices.