Employee Relations Adviser - 18 month FTC

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

What will you be doing?

We’re looking for a talented individual to join our London-based team, where you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality Employee Relations support across the business, with a particular focus on M&A integration activity. As the primary point of contact for ER matters within our integrating businesses, you’ll provide expert guidance while also supporting the wider organisation during quieter periods.

The role requires someone who can think critically, spot risks early, and confidently navigate complex or unclear situations to bring issues to a successful resolution. In addition, experience is required in supporting consultation processes, as well as managing complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, and sensitive investigations, ensuring robust and legally sound outcomes.

As Employee Relations Adviser your responsibilities will include among others

• Establish and develop trusted relationships across the business at a variety of levels through collaboration and gaining credibility
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR systems and practices
• Maintain knowledge of current case law, identify implications to our current practices and make proposals for improvement where relevant
• Provide support to the HR Business Partners to deliver change projects, e.g. restructuring, redundancies, TUPE Consultations and other M&A activities
• Lead and/or participate on certain projects e.g. policy and process reviews, SMCR, Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), Whistleblowing etc
• Provide support to the wider HR Senior Team as required
• Provide HR advice and guidance to specific client groups
• Take ownership of employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, and appeals, ensuring thorough investigation, documentation, and resolution in line with legal and policy frameworks
• Provide support on employee relations issues and advise on other employee relations issues including the case management of performance improvement plans, sickness absence management, grievances and disciplinaries etc, escalating as required
• Provide support on other leaves of absence such as maternity/paternity leave and changes to terms and conditions including flexible working requests etc
• Proactively support the wider team of HR Advisers, sharing your integration specific knowledge and experience where beneficial
• Compile and analyse HR Management Information
• Provide support to the HR Services team as required

To be successful in this role, you should have

• Up-to-date knowledge of HR best practice, employment law and current thinking and developments in HR.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities & deliver to deadlines.
• Experience in supporting consultation processes, as well as managing complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, and sensitive investigations.
• Experience of more complex case management.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Professional Qualifications and Education

• CIPD L5 or equivalent relevant professional qualification

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Hybrid working model (role dependent)
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Shared parental leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workplace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.