ER Business Partner

ER Business Partner

Job Description | Employee Relations Business Partner

Department:
Human Resources

Location:

London

The HR team in the UK consists of over 60 people. We have specialist teams in Resourcing, Graduate Recruitment & Management, Learning and Development, Systems & MI, and Reward. The HR Operations team, based across the UK, works as one unit to deliver a business‑partnering service to our fee‑earning and business services teams.

The ER Business Partner role sits within the Employee Relations Advisory team, a Centre of Excellence within the wider HR Operations team. The role’s purpose is to work with and influence key stakeholders to improve business performance by identifying areas for improvement, facilitating change initiatives, and managing legal, commercial, and reputational risks.

• Work with the Senior ER Manager and Senior ER Advisor to develop the ER function and ensure that it is meeting the strategic objectives of the firm.
• Support positioning ER as a strategic function within the wider HR team and across client groups in the UK, providing pragmatic, commercial and informed advice and support on all ER matters.
• Address collective activities such as restructures, re‑organisations, consultations and TUPE.
• Handle individual cases including capability, performance, absence & wellbeing, conduct, grievances, disciplinaries, equality & discrimination issues, SARs, dismissals and managed exits.
• Manage complaints and claims, including Employment Tribunal claims.
• Advise on changes in legislation and implications of recent Court & Tribunal decisions.
• Draft, update and maintain policies, related processes, guidance notes and training, aiming for a global approach.
• Develop and sustain strong business relationships with key stakeholders and contacts within the HR team and partnering functions such as Risk, IT, Finance & Tax, Procurement, etc., fulfilling the role of trusted advisor.
• Coach and support members (including formal training) of the UK HR team to maintain and develop their knowledge of day‑to‑day ER management.
• Develop and deliver training to audiences outside the HR team on topics where ER is an element, such as courses for newly promoted managers and managing difficult situations.
• Work with the wider business to ensure initiatives and solutions have full support before implementation, influencing and supporting change management across the firm, including multi‑functional project groups as needed.
• Propose new ideas that may lead to better strategic decisions for ER team members and other stakeholders; monitor and act on legislative changes and relevant trends/tribunal decisions that may impact the firm.
• Proactively manage continuous professional development for self, the ER team, and the wider team.
• Advise the ER team on analysing and reporting ER activities and trends across the UK.

• Work with the senior HR team and the business on various projects, including returning to working in office spaces, strategic initiatives, and re‑organisations.
• Provide project support and work closely with the Senior HR Manager on the annual Global Legal Director Promotion process.

• Graduate or equivalent, CIPD qualified and ideally with a higher qualification in Employment Law.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of UK employment law, codes of practice, and case law.
• Practical experience of ER, preferably within a regulated environment, including complaints, early conciliation, ET claims and ICO complaints.
• HR professional with experience building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and inspiring confidence at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience managing heavy caseloads alongside project, policy, and reporting activities.
• Strong team player.
• Understanding of the wider HR functions and how they overlap with ER.
• Ability to collate and analyse data and present findings and trends at an appropriate level of detail.
• Commercial awareness.
• Ability to assess and balance opposing risks in ER matters, construct and present favourable solutions, and influence effectively.
• Proactive approach with the ability to identify issues and find solutions.
• Strategic thinking to see the bigger picture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong drafting skills.
• Integrity and discretion.

• Technical Excellence
• People and Team
• Client/Stakeholder Relationships
• Service Delivery and Commercial Awareness
• Personal Effectiveness

This job description is as constituted at present; however the firm reserves the right to amend it in accordance with the changing needs of the business.

Clyde & Co is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. Our values encourage us to support fairness, celebrate diversity, and prohibit all forms of discrimination in the workplace, allowing everyone to excel.