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Employee Relations Business Partner, Exeter
Client: South West Water
Location: Exeter, United Kingdom
Job Category: Other
EU work permit required: Yes
Job Reference: cf39008eb6e8
Job Views: 3
Posted: 17.05.2025
Expiry Date: 01.07.2025
Job Description:
At South West Water, we believe that the strongest businesses are built on solid, stable foundations — with a vision and a culture that gives them the freedom to change, improve, and innovate. We’re proud to be responsible for providing reliable, efficient, and high-quality drinking water and wastewater services for the beautiful South West area. We have ambitious goals, including reaching net-zero by 2030 and partnering with Wildlife Trusts, National Parks, and local organizations to ensure a better future for generations to come. If you want to be part of a diverse team where opportunities flow and fresh ideas are welcomed, #JustAddWater.
We currently have an Employee Relations Business Partner opportunity within our People team, based in Exeter or Bristol. Joining us on a permanent full-time contract, you will receive a competitive salary of £45,000 - £50,000 per annum plus excellent benefits.
About the role:
This role is instrumental in fostering a culture of empowered, values-led leadership across the organization. Reporting to the Inclusion and ER Lead, you will collaborate closely with leaders to deliver impactful coaching, development, and behavioral change initiatives that enhance leadership effectiveness and promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture. You will provide expert advice, coaching, and innovative ER practices to drive organizational effectiveness by empowering leaders to manage employee issues confidently, fairly, and with integrity. You will also lead on complex employee relations matters, develop proactive ER strategies, and play a key role in change programs that reflect our values and boost employee engagement.
What you'll be doing:
* Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and HR colleagues on complex and sensitive employee relations issues, ensuring alignment with organizational values, risk mitigation, and legal compliance.
* Drive a proactive ER agenda that supports business strategy, enhances the employee experience, and reduces ER risks.
* Use data and insights to identify ER trends, root causes, and areas for improvement, translating findings into actionable solutions.
* Lead on high-risk and high-profile ER cases (grievances, disciplinaries, performance, absence, TUPE, redundancy), balancing risk and impact with fairness and wellbeing.
* Build and deliver training and development for managers to improve people management skills.
* Lead large-scale change projects across the organization.
* Coach and influence managers to build confidence in handling people matters, fostering strong leadership and accountability.
* Design and deliver targeted training on ER topics such as investigations, fairness, unconscious bias, and performance conversations.
* Contribute to policy reviews, ensuring HR policies reflect best practices, legal requirements, and inclusive principles.
What we are looking for:
* CIPD qualified or significant equivalent experience/qualification in employment law
* Experience coaching and training multiple stakeholders
* Experience advising and coaching on strategic changes, including contractual and non-contractual change, risk management
* Experience in a unionized environment
* Experience with TUPE and major organizational change
What's in it for you:
* Ongoing development and training opportunities supporting long-term career growth. Recognized as an Investors in People organization.
* Excellent benefits including:
* Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
* Discretionary bonus
* Competitive contributory pension
* Share-save scheme
* Health benefits
* Wellbeing programs
* Group discounts
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Financial support services
* And more!
Closing date: Wednesday 28th May 2025
Be yourself, we like it that way. We aim to build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and reflection of our communities. We care, value everyone, and celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values:
* Be Rock Solid: Build trust and be trusted. Dependability.
* Be You: Bring your best every day. Be authentic and make your mark.
* Be the Future: Embrace change, drive progress, own challenges.
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