Full job descriptionWe’re looking for an experienced Employee Relations specialist to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract and play a pivotal role in supporting organisational change. You’ll use your expertise to shape and deliver change effectively, enabling British Heart Foundation (BHF) to continue its mission of helping people have a healthier heart for longer.
You’ll work with managers and People colleagues to plan and support fair, meaningful and legally compliant change processes, including restructures, role changes and individual and collective redundancy consultations. You’ll provide pragmatic specialist advice, identify and manage employment law and employee relations risks, and help ensure each project is delivered consistently, sensitively and to agreed timescales.


Alongside this project work, you’ll support a proportionate portfolio of complex ER casework in line with the People Relations Job Description. Acting as an escalation point from our People Operations team, you’ll advise managers on issues such as conduct, capability, grievance, attendance and discrimination, taking ownership of cases where required and escalating significant risks or concerns.
About you
?As our ideal candidate, you’ll be an experienced Employee Relations (ER) professional with substantial hands-on experience of delivering organisational change and redundancy programmes and projects, alongside a strong track record in complex ER casework.
CIPD Level 5 qualified, you’ll have up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law, the Equality Act, ACAS Code of Conduct and employee relations best practice. You’ll have a strong understanding of organisational change, and individual and collective redundancy, including consultation, fair selection, suitable alternative employment and legal risk.
You’ll have significant experience of applying this expertise to provide clear, pragmatic advice and influence key stakeholders through sensitive complex decisions and situations.
You’ll also bring experience of:
*delivering organisational change and redundancy programmes, including consultation and applying relevant legal frameworks
*managing multiple change workstreams, milestones and deadlines
*partnering confidently with senior leaders, managers, People teams and employee representatives
*providing clear, pragmatic advice on complex ER cases and issues
*takening ownership of complex ER casework end to end
*building trusted relationships quickly and constructively influencing and challenging stakeholders
*using data and evidence to inform decisions and communicate insights
*maintaining accurate project and case records
*collaborating effectively and adapting as priorities change
Working arrangements
This is 12-month fixed term contract. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible. The contract will run for twelve months from the agreed start date.
This 12-month fixed-term position has been created to provide additional specialist capacity during a defined period of organisational change. It is an additional position within the team and does not form part of the long-term team structure. The contract is therefore expected to end after 12 months, when the current programme of change and the associated need for additional capacity are due to conclude.


This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and one day per week, on average, in our London office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
This role requires occasional travel to other BHF locations for team meeting and advisory meetings.


Belonging at BHF
We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Embracing different perspectives and backgrounds strengthens our organisation and empowers us to make a real difference together.
To hear from our people, check out Belonging at BHF.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research across six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world where everyone has a healthier heart for longer.


Benefits and development
At BHF, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support our colleagues’ wellbeing and professional growth.
To find out more about our benefits you can download the Benefits document at the bottom of this page or check out our Benefits and Development pages.


Need more help balancing your work and home life? Talk to us about what flexibility is available at the application or interview stage.
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Interview process


The interview process will consist of two stages. First stage interviews will be held over MS Teams on w/c 16 Nov 2026. For those successful, there will be second stage interviews in-person at our London Office (NW1 7AW)?on w/c 23 Nov 2026.


How to apply


It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click on the apply button below. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV and answer three application questions.
Our recruitment processes are fair, accessible, and inclusive. BHF use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.


We support responsible use of AI to help shape your application. By applying for a role at BHF, you confirm that your application is authentic and reflects your own skills and experience, to ensure everyone is assessed fairly.


Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.


Please note internally this role will be known as People Relations Specialist – Change Project