Interim Employee Relations Specialist – 6-12 Month FTC

Role Overview

• Lead the design and implementation of a robust, professionalised ER case management framework, including governance, risk controls, documentation standards, and quality assurance.
• Introduce and embed effective informal and early‑resolution approaches to reduce case volumes and support constructive conflict resolution.
• Develop and maintain standardised ER toolkits, templates, guidance, and manager training to drive consistency, compliance, and high‑quality decision‑making.
• Oversee and monitor all ER casework, ensuring timely progress and effective escalation routes.
• Provide functional (dotted‑line) leadership to HR Business Partners on ER best practice and professional standards.
• Train, coach, and mentor HR colleagues and line managers to build capability, confidence, and improved judgement in handling ER matters.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement in ER practice, service standards, and manager accountability.
• Establish and deliver clear ER data dashboards and trend reporting to identify risks, emerging themes, and opportunities for early intervention.
• Use data to inform strategic recommendations and preventative action plans.
• Collaborate closely with the People Operations team on defining ER and workflow requirements for our new HRIS.
• Support vendor evaluation and process design (experience of payroll transformation or outsourced payroll provision is helpful but not essential).
• Contribute to strengthening core HR operational standards and “brilliant basics,” including policy clarity, data quality, and case tracking.

Requirements

• Advanced, specialist ER expertise, with a track record of managing high‑risk, sensitive, and complex ER matters.
• Proven experience designing and implementing ER case management frameworks, governance, and quality assurance standards.
• Strong coaching skills, with the ability to uplift ER capability across a dispersed People team and management population.
• Excellent judgement with the ability to balance legal, cultural, operational, and reputational considerations.
• Strong understanding of informal resolution practices and modern approaches to early intervention.
• Highly data‑literate, capable of interpreting ER trends and using insights to drive action.
• Experience working at or alongside HRBP level within a complex organisation.
• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent experience).
• Experience contributing to HRIS selection, workflow design, or implementation.
• Exposure to payroll transformation or outsourced payroll provision.
• Previous line management experience.

Benefits

• Annual performance based bonus, up to 10%
• 25 days annual leave, plus eight bank holidays
• Up to 8% pension contribution
• Financial support and time off for study relevant to your role, plus a professional membership subscription
• Employee referral scheme (up to £1500), and colleague recognition scheme
• Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity leave and shared parental leave
• Free, confidential employee assistance, including financial management, family care, mental health, and on-call GP service
• Three paid volunteering days a year
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work schemes
• Family savings on days out and English Heritage, gym discounts, cash back and discounts at selected retailers
• Employee resource groups