This is a great opportunity for an experienced HR or Employee Relations professional to join a busy, supportive team where you'll have real autonomy and immediate impact.
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.

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.

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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