Employee Relations Advisor

About Reach

Reach is a major media group whose trusted journalism, stories, and content connect with audiences every day across social platforms, local communities, and newsstands. The organisation operates more than 120 brands, including well-known titles such as the Mirror, Express, Daily Star, and Daily Record, alongside regional brands like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, as well as US-facing titles such as the Irish Star.

With the ability to engage around 70% of the UK online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers globally, Reach is the largest commercial news publisher in Britain and Ireland. The business is built around understanding people and the issues that matter to them, and it supports a workplace where different backgrounds are valued and career growth is encouraged.

Role overview

In this position, you will own a portfolio of complex employee relations matters from start to finish, including dismissals, appeals, and tribunal preparation. During periods of organisational change, you will support leaders through workforce design, restructures, and redundancy activity, acting as a reliable operational guide.

You will also represent the business in sensitive grievance, disciplinary, and collective consultation matters, ensuring the organisation is protected and processes are handled appropriately. A further part of the role is keeping people policies aligned with changes in UK and Ireland employment law, alongside delivering training that strengthens the capability of the wider team. You will additionally work with HR colleagues on strategic initiatives that improve service quality across the people function.

What you need to bring

The ideal candidate will have a strong background handling highly sensitive and complex employee relations cases within an advisory or specialist setting. You should be confident working with current UK and Ireland employment legislation and have practical experience supporting change programmes, restructures, trade union consultations, and employment tribunal preparation.

This role also calls for a pragmatic, commercially minded problem-solver who focuses on workable outcomes rather than simply applying policy in isolation. You will need to influence and challenge stakeholders at all levels, build trust quickly, and communicate clearly and credibly. The role requires resilience, strong prioritisation skills, and sound judgment when deciding when to escalate issues for the best result.

Qualifications

A CIPD qualification is required.

Additional information

Reach offers a broad benefits package designed to support wellbeing, reward contribution, and help people balance work and life. The company also emphasises inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, even if they do not meet every requirement listed.

Benefits and support

• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an extra day added after three, five, and ten years of service; there is also an option to purchase additional holiday.
• One extra paid volunteering day each year for a cause that matters to you or your community.
• An additional paid “big moment” day for important life events such as marriage, moving home, or welcoming a new family member, including pets.
• A bonus plan that lets you share in the company’s success and increase annual earnings.
• Pension support with employer contributions matched up to 6%, with the option to contribute through salary sacrifice.
• Progressive people policies, including enhanced family leave and flexible working support, with a focus on inclusion and progression.
• A healthcare cash plan that helps with medical costs and provides quicker access to doctor appointments.
• Access to Stream, a financial wellbeing app for managing money, pay, rewards, and benefits in one place.
• A car lease scheme for brand-new electric or hybrid vehicles through salary sacrifice.
• 24/7 wellbeing support for employees and their families.
• Discounts through the company marketplace, including 15% off on Yimbly.
• Interest-free loans for items such as season tickets and technology.

Equal opportunities

The company is committed to fair and welcoming recruitment and does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not match every point in the job description.