Job Title: ER Advisor (Employment Relations Advisor)
Duration: 9-12-month FTC
Hours: Full Time / 37.50 hours per week
Type: Some travel expected for meetings and to our HO in Northampton and office in London
Car / Full, clean driving licence essential
Closing Date: 31th March 2026 or as soon as a candidate is offered
Purpose of the Role
Supports managers and employees by providing expert guidance on workplace issues, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.
Collaborates with HR Business Partners, Legal team, Senior Managers and Line Managers.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Provide expert advice on effective handling of employee relations including investigations, disciplinaries, performance management, grievance, absence, HR policies, and processes
Coach and develop managers to manage ER issues confidently and fairly
Ensure compliance with employment law, internal policies, and procedures
Support organisational change such as restructures, redundancies, and redeployments
Use HR KPI data proactively to focus attention on priority issues within settings to mitigate risk
Manage cases by ensuring prompt and effective resolution or triaging to the relevant HR area of expertise
Collaborate with HR teams to align ER practices with broader people strategies.
Responsible For:
Providing advice and guidance to managers and employees in line with policies procedures and legislation
Support with training and coaching Operations teams in ensuring high quality implementation of policies and procedures.
Tracking and closing all cases in line with agreed Service Level Agreements
Identify trends and suggest process improvements and or additional training and coaching requirements.
Taking responsibility for own personal and professional development and keep current on legislative changes.
Essential Experience
Managing a high volume and complex employee relations caseload
Strong knowledge of UK employment law, and HR best practices
Handling complex cases independently or with minimal supervision.
Multi-site experience
Significant experience of diverse employee relations cases
Coached managers on HR processes and in particular investigations, grievances, disciplinaries, performance improvement, and health and wellbeing
Translated policy into sound advice to keep the business safe and compliant (reworded to be experience not an attribute)
Evidence of continuous professional development e.g. HR Qualification / CIPD
Desirable Experience
Have insight into the industry.
HR advisory role in nursery sector
Business Coaching Qualification
Personal Attributes
Analytical thinking to assess risk and recommend solutions.
Excellent influencer and effective communicator (oral and in writing)
Highly motivated and driven, achieving positive impact and meeting deadlines
Works well under pressure and able to prioritise workload
Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment - a calm approach and ‘can-do’ attitude
Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
Excellent customer service skills
Able to use data to effectively identify trends, risks, to inform decisions and measure impact
Ability to travel within the UK; flexibility to work at home or from a Support Centre office as required, with overnight stays as necessary
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. If you share our passion, values, and have most of the skills listed, we encourage you to apply – as you may be just what we are looking for!
We look forward to receiving your application!
If you experience any problems, please email europe.recruitment@brighthorizons.com and we will be happy to help.