HR Operations Employee Relations Advisor - FTC

Job Description

HR Operations Employee Relations Advisor
Business Unit Corporate Services
Contract type/Duration 12-15 month FTC (Mat Cover)
Directorate/Team HR Operations
Band 2.2
Salary £41,555 - £54,171 - DOE
Reports to Head of HR Operations
Location London
Closing date 15/04/2026 - 5pm

About Connected Places Catapult
We provide impartial ‘innovation as a service’ for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel. We connect businesses and public sector leaders to cutting-edge research to spark innovation and grow new markets. We run technology demonstrators and SME accelerators to scale new solutions that drive growth, spread prosperity, and eliminate carbon.

The role
As the HR Operations Employee Relations Advisor, you will be working with our colleagues and line managers to provide expertise, advice and management information across a full range of generalist HR activities, whilst delivering against key initiatives to support the achievement of the HR strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise, coach and support managers with ER casework, such as disciplinary, performance management, flexible working, absence management, TUPE, and grievance.
• Advise and coach managers on HR matters, including as relate to contract and employment law, policy and processes, across all stages of the employee lifecycle.
• Develop strong relationships to become a Trusted Advisor to our managers and colleagues.
• Be meticulous in recording case work to ensure employee records are complete, accurate and compliant.
• Work collaboratively across the HR Team to provide a seamless and compliant HR service to our stakeholder managers, colleagues and senior leadership team.
• Support on the development of policy, procedure and guidance.
• To be an HRIS expert user
• To advise managers and colleagues on visa sponsorship and global mobility
• Be an advocate for continuous improvement throughout the business, suggesting and implementing changes to ensure we deliver best practice and are legally compliant.
• To support with HR projects as and when required
• Uphold and promote CPC’s values, ensuring an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contributing to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities
• Undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience managing HR and legislative processes effectively
• Expert user of HRIS and other IT systems
• Good knowledge of employment and contract law and its practical application
• Able to deliver high quality work to firm deadlines and to work Independently
• To be a Trusted Advisor on ER, policy and employment and contract law matters
• Experience of all aspects of the employee lifecycle
• Numerate and able to convert HR data into valuable management information
• Professional and clear communication style, both verbal, presentational, policy or other guidance
• Skilled in the use of automated systems to reduce manual, repetitive tasks
• CIPD Qualification at Level 5 is preferred, but not essential

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.
• Mortgage Advice benefit, delivered in partnership with Charles Cameron & Associates – provides employees with free, expert mortgage advice and end-to-end mortgage support from the application process through to completion.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.