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HR Advisory Manager (Employee Relations) - Reading Borough CouncilReed • Reading, Berkshire, UK
HR Advisory Manager (Employee Relations) - Reading Borough Council

HR Advisory Manager (Employee Relations) - Reading Borough Council

Reed • Reading, Berkshire, UK
1 day ago
Job type
  • Temporary
Job description

We’re seeking an experienced Interim HR Advisory Manager to lead a busy, high-performing HR Advisory function, with a strong focus on employee relations.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll take ownership of complex ER casework, provide expert advice on high-risk matters, and drive consistency and quality across both corporate and schools HR services.

You’ll play a key role in stabilising and evolving the service—ensuring robust governance, strong stakeholder confidence, and high-quality HR delivery.

Duration: 6 months

Day Rate: £450 up to £500 per day Umbrella (Inside IR35)

Location: Reading, RG1

Hybrid: 3 days onsite

Start: ASAP

About the role

We’re seeking an experienced Interim HR Advisory Manager to lead a busy, high-performing HR Advisory function, with a strong focus on employee relations.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll take ownership of complex ER casework, provide expert advice on high-risk matters, and drive consistency and quality across both corporate and schools HR services.

You’ll play a key role in stabilising and evolving the service—ensuring robust governance, strong stakeholder confidence, and high-quality HR delivery.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the HR Advisory service, ensuring effective delivery of employee relations activity across the organisation
  • Actively manage and oversee a complex ER caseload (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance)
  • Provide expert guidance to senior leaders on high-risk and sensitive cases
  • Lead, coach and develop a team of 4 HR Advisors, ensuring high standards of delivery and consistency
  • Provide oversight and strategic direction to the Schools HR Manager and their team (SLA-based service)
  • Ensure alignment, quality and consistency across corporate and traded HR services
  • Maintain strong case management, governance and risk mitigation practices
  • Ensure compliance with employment legislation and organisational policy
  • Lead on the review and development of HR and ER policies, ensuring they are pragmatic and fit for purpose
  • Use insight from casework to drive continuous improvement and policy in practice

About you

You’ll be a confident and credible HR leader with deep expertise in employee relations and the ability to make an immediate impact.

  • Proven track record leading HR Advisory / ER functions in a complex organisation
  • Significant experience managing high-risk and complex ER cases end-to-end
  • Strong experience leading teams, including managing managers
  • Skilled in translating policy into practical, operational delivery
  • Experience in local government or similar environments (desirable)
  • Exposure to traded HR services / SLA-based delivery (desirable)
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-volume ER environment
  • Pragmatic, solutions-focused, and confident influencing senior stakeholders
  • Able to quickly build credibility and deliver results with minimal supervision
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HR Advisory Manager (Employee Relations) - Reading Borough Council • Reading, Berkshire, UK

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