Employee Relations Partner

Employee Relations Partner

Job Introduction

The salary for this full-time, permanent position is £53,713 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

About the role

In this role, you will provide proactive support to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service management on various people matters and day-to-day issues.

A focal point of your role will be the continuous improvement of SFRS’ management of employee relations cases and people matters, supporting healthy cultural change. Expectations of the role will involve upskilling managers at all levels and establishing positive working relationships with Trade Union representatives, supporting their positive representation of members. Your support will extend to guiding managers through change processes, with a specific emphasis on the SFRS cultural change journey.

This role is supported by an established working relationship with the Surrey County Council People Consultancy Team. You will collaborate with the People Consultancy Team to ensure effective employment practices are carried out.

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your application will clearly evidence:

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, demonstrated through interactions with various stakeholders.
• Proven collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Experience working with data and reporting on trends for horizon scanning
• Providing support and guidance to staff groups
• Demonstrable experience in a public or private sector environment
• Qualified to CIPD Level 5 or above.

You will possess great attention to detail, effective time management and the ability to handle multiple issues concurrently. This role also involves line management responsibility for one member of staff reporting to the Head of Service Investigations and Occupational Health.

Join us at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and be part of a dynamic team committed to making a tangible impact on the communities of Surrey. As our Employee Relations Partner, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organisation, driving positive change and fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

If you're ready to bring your skills, passion, and dedication to a role that truly makes a difference, we invite you to apply.

For more information please find the full job description below and refer to this before submitting your application. We also invite you to read our Life at Surrey handbook to see insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
  

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 15 July 2026.

Confirmation of interview dates will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Richard Priest via email at Richard.Priest@surreycc.gov.uk

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.

At Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, we believe it is essential to embed our commitment to the Core Code of Ethics and particularly equality, diversity and inclusion, into every aspect of our work. This is a dual responsibility applying both to our outward facing, community-focussed activities, and to our internal responsibilities to people and volunteers.

Our vision is that everyone representing Surrey Fire and Rescue Service will be a community role model.

These include:

• Putting our communities first
• Integrity
• Dignity and respect
• Leadership
• Equality, diversity and inclusion