Employee Relations Partner (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

About the Role

This is an opportunity to join our Employee Relations team on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract as an ER Partner. In this role you will partner with business leaders and people managers on employee‑relations activity within a defined portfolio of business units, delivering targeted ER upskilling sessions and providing expert advice on cases of all complexity. You will identify and manage ER risks, engage with leaders across WSP UK & Ireland, and manage Employment Tribunal claims while leading organisational change initiatives such as TUPE, redundancy, restructuring and office moves. Using data and insights you will highlight ER trends, implement solutions, collaborate with the ER team to develop best‑in‑class approaches, and support ER Advisors as an escalation point. • Partner with business leaders and managers on employee relations across assigned units. • Deliver targeted ER upskilling sessions to equip managers. • Provide expert advice on complex ER cases and manage Employment Tribunal claims. • Identify, assess, and mitigate ER risks, escalating as needed. • Lead organisational change initiatives such as TUPE, redundancy, restructuring, and office moves. • Analyse ER data to identify trends and implement solutions. • Support and mentor ER Advisors, acting as an escalation point. • Assist other ER team members during high‑volume periods.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸er upskilling
• ▸risk management
• ▸data analysis
• ▸change management
• ▸tribunal claims
• ▸mentoring

What You Bring

The role requires a strong background in employee relations, proven experience handling complex disciplinary, grievance, performance and capability cases, and up‑to‑date knowledge of employment law. You must demonstrate excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills, the ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple priorities, and a keen eye for detail in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. Essential qualifications include working knowledge of TUPE and redundancy legislation, the ability to manage high‑volume complex ER casework, and professional membership of CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent). • Proven experience handling disciplinary, grievance, performance and capability cases. • Strong change‑management expertise and up‑to‑date employment law knowledge. • Excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills. • Ability to plan, prioritize and manage multiple complex priorities. • High attention to detail and results‑oriented mindset. • Working knowledge of TUPE and redundancy legislation. • Capability to manage high‑volume complex ER casework. • CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) professional membership.

Requirements

• ▸employment law
• ▸tupe
• ▸redundancy
• ▸cipd level5
• ▸communication
• ▸er casework

Benefits

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, experiencing a world of opportunity and shaping a career as unique as you. We offer work‑life balance through a hybrid working policy (two days remote) and flexible “WSP My Hour” for personal activities, an inclusive culture with employee resource groups, health and wellbeing programmes such as Thrive, virtual GP, Gymflex discounts and menopause support, and opportunities for part‑time, flexible working, additional leave purchase and bank‑holiday flexibility. Your development is supported through training, mentoring and chartership opportunities, and we encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, celebrating diversity and providing reasonable workplace adjustments for disabled applicants. • Hybrid working (2 days remote) and flexible “WSP My Hour” for personal activities. • Inclusive culture with employee resource groups supporting diverse backgrounds. • Health & wellbeing programmes including Thrive, virtual GP, Gymflex discount and menopause support. • Part‑time, flexible working options, additional leave purchase and bank‑holiday flexibility. • Continuous development through training, mentoring and chartership opportunities.

Work Environment

Hybrid