People Advisory Partner - #1786382

Job Title: People Advisory Partner

Location: Leeds (Hybrid working flexibility between office and home)

Salary: From £43,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Contracted Hours: 37.5

Basic Purpose of Role

The People Advisory Partner provides expert employee relations and advisory support, aligned to a business unit (B2B, B2C, or B2G) but also providing cover for other People Advisory Partners. A critical aspect of this role is fostering strong stakeholder relationships by regularly engaging with senior leaders and operational managers.

The role requires attendance at the Leeds office (usually 2 days per week) and regular travel (usually monthly) to First Bus locations within the assigned business unit, ensuring meaningful, proactive interactions that strengthen advisory support and business alignment.

Working as part of a highly collaborative team of four People Advisory Partners, the postholder contributes to the matrix management of a shared pool of People Advisors who are not directly aligned to business units.

This is a hands-on role, with the postholder also actively managing their own case load while working with other People Advisory Partners to distribute cases among the People Advisor pool. Additionally, the role requires proactive review of employee relations case data, identifying trends, risks, and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement in the advisory service. Insights and recommendations will be shared to refine processes, address recurring themes, and ensure advisory support remains aligned with company values, employment legislation, and the commercial needs of the business. Stakeholder feedback, including Net

Promoter Score (NPS) insights will be regularly gathered to shape service enhancements.

A key relationship for this role is with the Heads of People and People Delivery Partners in the People Partnering team, ensuring a joined-up approach to delivering high-quality employee relations and people advisory support.

Key Accountabilities

Case Management & Escalation

• Act as the first point of contact for complex and high-risk employee relations matters within the aligned business unit.
• Provide legally compliant, commercially sound advice on a range of employee relations issues, including absence, discipline, grievance, performance, discrimination, and whistleblowing.
• Lead post-employment dispute resolution, including Employment Tribunals, partnering with internal stakeholders and external legal counsel as required.

Organisational Change & Project Support

• Provide expert advisory input on business-wide change initiatives, such as restructures, TUPE transfers (in and out) etc.
• Support the Head of People Transformation, Heads of People and People Delivery Partners to scope, plan, and deliver advisory aspects of key people-related projects

Work Allocation, Oversight & Matrix Management

• Collaborate with other People Advisory Partners to oversee the People Advisor pool, ensuring effective case triage, work allocation, and coaching support.
• Monitor quality of advice, case outcomes, and stakeholder satisfaction, ensuring consistency in the delivery of employee relations support.

Stakeholder Management & Service Improvement

• Develop strong relationships with key business stakeholders
• Proactively seek feedback through various channels including our NPS form, using insights to recommend and drive continuous enhancements in the advisory service.
• Conduct regular review of employee relations case data, identifying trends and lessons learned to inform decision-making and improve processes.

Operational Compliance & Governance

• Ensure advice aligns with First Bus values, employment law, and commercial objectives, balancing legal and financial considerations.
• Contribute to the development and review of HR policies, guidance materials, and training programs to enhance compliance and business effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to case analysis reporting for insights-driven improvements.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Required

• Proven experience advising on complex employee relations cases within a unionised environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and its practical application in a fast-paced, commercial setting.
• Experience supporting organisational change, including TUPE and restructures.
• Demonstrable ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide pragmatic, commercially driven employee relations solutions.
• Comfortable working in a matrix structure, collaborating across functional teams.
• CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent) qualified or working towards.
• Strong planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to analyse case data, identify trends, and provide meaningful recommendations.
• Willingness to travel to First Bus locations within the assigned business unit on a monthly basis.

Behavioural Competencies

All employees are expected to demonstrate the following behaviours in their work:

• Focusing on Customers
• Changing & Improving
• Driving Business Performance
• Building Strong Relationships
• Developing Effective Teams

Rewards & Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Please apply now. We look forward to receiving your application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.

Applicants are advised that background checks will be conducted as a standard part of our recruitment process.