Senior Business Adviser

Job summary

Advice and Business Solutions (ABS) is a dynamic and innovative directorate within Acas. We are committed to delivering high-quality products/services that meet our customer’s needs. As we continue to expand our operations, we are seeking a dynamic, motivated, results-driven Senior Business Adviser to drive our growth initiatives, with a passion for partnering closely with our valued customers to not only meet but exceed their needs.

You will be part of a national team that keeps the customer at the heart of everything we do, by undertaking root cause analysis, you will identify the challenges faced in the workplace and linking these to our effective suite of free and chargeable service as part of our strategic aim of resolving and preventing potential workplace issues before they arise.

Join us in driving the growth of our valued service! Your contributions will play a pivotal role in shaping our future success, and our continuing commitment of building solid and mutually beneficial lasting relationships, with our customers as their key account manager.

Job description

Workplace Solutions and Business Development

• Workplace Solutions – accountable for delivering impactful workplace solutions, which may arise following customer referrals, business development activity or collective interventions, including diagnostics and joint problem-solving projects. In addition, the provision of advice relating to the full range of employment relations, good practice and legal compliance issues in accordance with A and BS policy, the agreed business plans and individual targets.
• Business Performance – accountable for contributing positively to the work of the customer delivery team and supporting the Trainers.
• Make a proportionate personal contribution to the income and service delivery targets and standards.
• Group Mediation Delivery – responding to referrals from the mediation gatekeeper in Dispute Resolution Directorate for mediation cases involving multiple parties.
• Conflict Resolution – accountable for coaching and advising businesses, staff and managers on matters regarding conflict resolution, relationship building, productivity, growth and effective communication.
• Business development – responsible for taking opportunities to proactively develop the ABS business and strategic aims. Increase reach of our services through various delivery mediums including (but not limited to) social media, speaking events, conference planning/delivery, media requests in line with policy.
• In line with policy identification and completion of appropriate proposals / tenders for chargeable work.
• Lead and support wider team with customer account management and meeting Service Level Agreements.
• Engagement with partners and providers to identify opportunities for joint-working, commissioned work and/or commercial partnerships for mutual gain.

Training

• Bespoke workplace training – responsible for developing and delivering workplace solutions which meet customer needs.
• Complex Training Delivery – accountable for delivery of complex training products in company or as part of an open access programme and for the delivery of mediation training (CIWM) digitally and face to face, onsite in company premises or offsite as required, while maintaining CIWM accreditation tutor requirements.
• Support to create and write training content and delivery slide packs within the training product development framework.

Employment Relations

• Expert Guidance – to promote and facilitate good employment relations through numerous delivery mediums within workplaces.
• Accountable for working closely with industry and business leaders, trade unions, employee forums, HR and line management providing expert guidance on a variety of employee relations matters.
• Managers and employees / Trade Union representatives regarding employee relations issues and initiate action plans to address and resolve issues.
• External Employee Relations Support – accountable for operating with discretion and judgement, provide primary support and lead on employee relations and compliance issues as they arise.

Who we are

Acas exists to make working life better for everyone in Britain. We are the experts in workplace matters, we’re impartial, so we’re not on anyone’s side. That means we’re working for everyone to help prevent, manage and resolve workplace issues.

Acas helps employers and employees by providing information, advice, training, conciliation and other services that prevent, manage or resolve workplace problems.

Acas: Britain’s Workplace Experts

Acas has been recognised for its Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards – Disability Confident Highly Commended; Pay Gap award winner and Overall winner for public sector organisations. Acas is committed to providing services and developing policies which embrace diversity, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have the following:

Essential Experience criteria:

• Comfortable with presenting, designing, and delivering facilitated problem-solving workshops, training and leading change (Lead criterion)
• Entrepreneurial skills, able to identify and develop opportunities for Acas growth in the business marketplace (Lead criterion)
• Stakeholder-engagement skills
• High level of communication skills - both verbal and written

The post holder will be required to hold a driving licence; exceptions to this requirement will be considered where reasonable adjustments are required.

Licences

The post holder will be required to hold a Driving Licence; exceptions to this requirement will be considered where Reasonable Adjustments are required. When applying, please select 'Similar equivalent held', and state below if you believe this exception may apply to you.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,750, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service contributes £13,543 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We’re big believers in rewarding people for the amazing work they do. Take a look at some of the fantastic benefits we offer:

• Learning and Development
• Health and wellbeing
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Volunteering opportunities

Could you ask for anymore?

You’ll have access to a Lifestyle website where you’ll be able to grab savings on a wide range of products, from holidays to your weekly shop.

To find out more, check out: Working for Acas

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to apply

Please click on the 'Apply now' button.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• An evidence-based Personal Statement and CV reflecting the essential Experience requirements as listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. Your Personal Statement should be no longer than 1,000 words. It should avoid generalised assertions, instead including specific examples of achievements, explaining the degree of challenge, what you did and the outcomes.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the:

• Lead Essential Experience criterion: Comfortable with presenting, designing, and delivering facilitated problem-solving workshops, training and leading change
• Lead Essential Experience criterion: Entrepreneurial skills, able to identify and develop opportunities for Acas growth in the business marketplace.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift of all the above requirements or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

If a large number of applications meet the minimum standard an interview wait list may be created for this position. This means that if you have met the minimum requirements at sift you may be placed at a ‘Hold’ status for up to 12 months and if we are able to invite you to an interview we will be in touch.

Interview Details

If you have successfully passed sift, you will be invited to an interview via MS Teams which is likely to take place from week commencing 25 May 2026.

It will be a Behaviour and Strength based inter view, and it will also include a Presentation that will be used to assess Experience (the presentation question and instructions will be sent to candidates who are invited to interview).

The following Behaviours will be assessed at Interview

• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

A merit based reserve list will be created. This means that if you have passed the interview, but we couldn’t offer you a position, you’ll be on a reserve list for 12 months and may be considered for similar positions.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader, Acas is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability and feel that any part of the recruitment process puts you at a disadvantage, we will work with you to make Reasonable Adjustments that support your needs. If you require any changes to help you apply:

• Please contact the Acas Recruitment Team via HRrecruitment@acas.org.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Please complete the “Assistance Required” section on the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to let us know about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process. For example, this might include accessibility arrangements for entering a building or interview room, communication support, modifications to assessment methods, etc.
• You can find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments by clicking these links.

Want to learn more about Civil Service recruitment? You can find out more on Civil Service Careers, including information on Success Profiles, writing a Personal Statement, acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence, and what to expect at Interview.

For applicants requiring a visa to work in the UK

Please be advised that Acas does not hold a UKVI Sponsorship Licence, so we cannot consider sponsoring a visa applicant or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : HR Recruitment Team
• Email : HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and wish to make a complaint, you should contact us on via HRrecruitment@acas.org.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Job Description - G8 Senior Business Adviser Opens in new window (docx, 41kB)