Employee Relations Partner

Permanent

Location: This post is based at Link’s Edinburgh office. However, hybrid working is available with this role.

Hour of Work: 35 per week, Monday to Friday.

Alternative working patterns and/or working arrangements will be considered.

The Role

At Link, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our colleagues have made our award-winning social enterprise the success it is today. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to supporting our people to develop, thrive and achieve their full potential.

The Employee Relations (ER) Partner will lead on the provision of expert employee relations advice and case management, handling complex and sensitive matters including dismissals, appeals, equality and inclusion issues, safeguarding concerns, regulatory compliance, settlement negotiations, and Employment Tribunal cases, while ensuring legal compliance and effective risk management.

The post will play a key role in delivering complex organisational change programmes, working collaboratively with managers, trade unions and employee representatives to manage consultation, restructuring, redundancy and TUPE processes effectively.

The post will lead and manage Link’s job evaluation service, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant grading outcomes through robust governance, quality assurance, training, supplier management and expert advice to managers and HR colleagues.

The post will play a key role in developing fair, inclusive and person-centred HR services, ensuring policies, procedures and employment practices reflect legislative requirements, best practice and the needs of the organisation. Leading and supporting policy reviews, while using employee relations data and case trends to identify opportunities for improvement are key responsibilities, as are ensuring managers have the skills and tools they need to manage challenging people related issues effectively. Through regular audits and practical recommendations, the post will help strengthen compliance, improve workplace practices and contribute to a positive employee experience.

About You

You will be an experienced and highly credible Employee Relations professional who is passionate about delivering excellent people-focused outcomes. You will hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience), with CIPD Level 7 desirable, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development, particularly in UK employment law and employee relations practice.

You will have experience of leading, managing, and developing specialist teams, alongside a strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice. Confident in managing complex and sensitive cases, you will apply policies and legislation pragmatically, balancing business needs with legal compliance while managing organisational risk.

You will have proven expertise in investigations, case management, decision-making, and maintaining robust documentation and audit trails. Experience of implementing or enhancing ER systems, processes, reporting, and management information will be key, together with strong analytical and report-writing skills.

With strong communication and influencing skills, you will be able to build effective relationships at all levels, presenting clear, evidence-based recommendations and supporting managers to make informed decisions. You will be customer-focused, collaborative, and able to adapt your approach to deliver a responsive and high-quality service.

Organised and self-motivated, you'll be comfortable managing competing priorities, working independently, and taking accountability for outcomes while contributing positively to team objectives. You'll have excellent attention to detail, strong planning skills, and the ability to identify, minimise, and resolve risks and issues proactively.

You will have strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office systems and web enabled IT tools and software, together with a high degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion. A current driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel across multiple sites, is required.

In return you will be offered the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge through employee training and development. You can expect to work in a supportive, trusting and transparent working environment, with the autonomy to offer creative and innovative solutions whilst maintaining Link’ s values; Responsibility, Empathy, Social Impact, Participate, Equity, Challenge and Transparency.

For further information on the main position accountabilities and a comprehensive list of the essential and desirable criteria required for this post, please refer to the Job Specification in the Job information Pack on Link's website.

What’s in it for you?

As an Investor in People, we strive for continuous improvement through the management and growth of our staff, offering a wide range of training and development opportunities.

As a Link employee, you'll likely benefit from the following:

Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards subject to terms of the scheme
35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus an additional 1 day’s pro rata holiday per year after 1 years’ service up to a maximum of 40 days per year
Opportunity to buy and sell holiday days
Enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
Access to paid qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities and funded professional membership
Defined contribution pension with matched generous employer pension contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
Access to a Salary Exchange car leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
Life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits
Healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants and other services
Employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
Access to purchase annual corporate clothing vouchers
Annual flu vaccination
Access to a credit union savings and borrowing scheme
Cycle to work scheme and much more!

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please visit Link's website.

You will work with colleagues who offer support to ensure our customers' expectations are met. In return, we are looking for applications from people who will contribute to our aims and work to the highest professional standards.

This role is subject to Level 1 Disclosure check under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.

Closing Date: Midnight on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Interview Date: Interviews are being held the week commencing 16 November 2026 at Link’s Edinburgh office.

How to Apply

Our online application method is the most efficient way to apply and can be started by clicking the “Apply Now” button on Link's website. You must complete an application form to be considered for any of our vacancies, but you don’t need a CV to apply for our positions. Also, if you aren’t sure about how long you have to fill in the form, you will be able to save it and return to it by clicking on the ‘My Applications’ tab of the vacancy search page and entering your username and password.

We would strongly encourage applicants to make their application as authentic to them as possible and ensure that it genuinely reflects the skills and experience that you can bring to the role. AI can be helpful with structuring answers in an application, however if overly relied on, it can risk an application appearing generic and less relevant to the role, which reduces the likelihood of being shortlisted.

As a large employer, we advertise jobs regularly on our own website and social media channels alongside other third-party websites. No matter where you see one of our vacancies, you will always be directed to our jobs portal to apply directly with us.

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

Please notify our recruitment team if you would like:

Help accessing the job information
Need the application details in a different format
Require any adjustments to the application process to support any disabilities or different needs you may have

We aim at all times to recruit the person who is most suited to the job and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. Our interview locations have step free or level access therefore may be accessible to applicants using mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and walking equipment however, if you have any specific access requirements, please let us know and we will be happy to provide more information and/or support.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we will interview all disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.

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