Job Summary: Employee Relations (ER) Advisor – Financial Services

Certain Advantage (via Crone Corkill) is seeking a sharp, commercially-minded ER / People Advisor to join a fast-paced Financial Services firm in London. This is a high-impact, contract role (£210 per day) for an expert in UK employment law who can act as a coach and partner to senior leaders. You will be the first line of defense in managing workplace risk, handling everything from complex disciplinary cases to Occupational Health referrals. If you thrive in agile environments and have a “leader-led” approach to HR, this role offers a great opportunity to apply your expertise in a sophisticated, regulated sector.

Requirements and Skills

ER Expertise: Extensive experience in a People Advisory role with a proven track record of managing end-to-end ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, redundancy).
Legal Knowledge: Strong command of UK employment law, ACAS Codes of Practice, and HR best practices.
Financial Services Context: Ideally experienced within Financial Services; knowledge of SMCR (Senior Managers and Certification Regime) and FCA Conduct Rules is highly desirable.
Tech Savvy: Experience using Jira for case management and a drive to contribute to HR automation and “manager self-service” initiatives.
Communication: Exceptional influencing skills and the ability to write high-quality technical reports and policy documents.
Analytical Mindset: Ability to identify trends in ER data to drive process improvements and mitigate systemic risk.

Role Overview

You will act as a trusted partner, moving away from “hand-holding” to a leader-led coaching model. You are responsible for ensuring that managers are empowered to lead their teams while staying strictly within legal and policy frameworks. This involves managing a high-volume workload via Jira, meeting strict SLAs, and maintaining a resilient, composed presence even when dealing with sensitive conduct or performance issues. You aren’t just an administrator; you are a strategic risk manager and a cultural influencer.

Key Responsibilities

Advisory Services: Provide expert guidance on conduct, performance, absence management, and flexible working.
Case Management: Lead on ER cases, including disciplinaries and grievances, ensuring fairness and legal compliance at every step.
Manager Coaching: Upskill leaders through one-on-one coaching and by designing/delivering development programs on HR procedures.
Workflow Management: Use Jira to track HR tasks, ensuring all queries are resolved within agreed timelines.
Risk & Improvement: Proactively identify ER trends or blockers and propose innovative, automated solutions to improve efficiency.
Policy Application: Interpret complex policies and ensure they are applied consistently across the business, escalating high-risk matters when necessary.

Salary and Working Pattern

Rate: £210 per day.
Location: London (Hybrid).
Environment: Fast-paced, agile, and regulated.
Sector: Financial Services.

Application Tip: The “SMCR” Advantage

Peer Note: In Financial Services, the SMCR (Senior Managers and Certification Regime) adds a layer of individual accountability that doesn’t exist in other sectors. If you have experience managing a disciplinary case for a “Certified Person” or understand how a grievance might impact a “Fit and Proper” assessment, highlight this immediately. It proves you understand the high-stakes regulatory environment of the City.

To apply for Company Website www.cronecorkill.co.uk.