Employee Relations Partner - Fixed Term Contract

A fixed-term opportunity to join WSP as an Employee Relations Partner for 12 months, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. You will work with business leaders and people managers to manage employee relations within a defined portfolio, build manager capability through targeted ER upskilling, and provide expert ER advice across all levels of complexity. The role focuses on identifying and managing risks within employee relations, engaging with leaders across WSP UK & Ireland to foster empowerment and continuous improvement, and handling Employment Tribunal claims for your area with a fair and sustainable approach. You will plan and deliver organisational change, including TUPE, redundancy, restructuring and office moves, and use data to identify ER trends and implement targeted solutions. You will collaborate with ER teammates to develop a best-in-class approach while working autonomously day to day, provide training and escalation support for ER Advisors, support implementation of lessons learned from ER processes, and assist other areas of the ER Team during high-volume activity.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders and people managers on employee relations activity within a defined portfolio of business units.
• Deliver targeted ER upskilling sessions to enable people managers to manage their teams effectively.
• Provide expert advice and support on ER cases at all levels of complexity.
• Identify and manage risks within the employee relations remit; spot, mitigate, eliminate and escalate where appropriate.
• Engage with leaders at all levels across WSP UK & Ireland to foster a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims for your business area, ensuring a fair, fair-minded and sustainable approach.
• Lead the planning and delivery of organisational change, including TUPE, redundancy, restructuring and office moves.
• Use data and insights to highlight ER trends and implement solutions to address them within the business.
• Collaborate with peers in the ER team to develop a best-in-class approach to employee relations while demonstrating the ability to work autonomously.
• Provide training and upskilling support to ER Advisors and act as a point of escalation for cases they manage within the portfolio.
• Support the business in implementing recommendations or lessons learned from ER processes.
• Lean in and support other areas within the ER Team where high-volume case management or activity is taking place.

Requirements

• A strong background in employee relations with proven experience managing complex cases—disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability.
• Change management expertise and up-to-date knowledge of employment law to provide commercially aware, pragmatic advice that supports both business objectives and people.
• Excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills to build trusted relationships and enable leaders to thrive.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple priorities with varying levels of complexity.
• Keen attention to detail and a commitment to delivering results in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Essential: Working knowledge of TUPE and redundancy legislation.
• Strong ER background with the ability to manage complex case management at volume in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional membership of CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent).