External relations associate jobs in Bristol
Do you have proven experience in strategic HR leadership, alongside a passion for building people-centred solutions that drive organisational success? Then join Shelter as a Senior HR Business Partner and you could soon be leading a talented team at the heart of our mission to enable impactful people management across Shelter.
You must be a highly focused Senior HR Business Partner, with the aim to proactively build relationships and add value to the directorates you work with. You need to enjoy variety, challenging work and be equally experienced in HR and ER, able to lead strategically and operate practically. In particular you will be confident in your own decision making based on your knowledge and hands on experience in organisational change, TUPE, data and insights and complex ER cases at all levels, working within a unionised workplace. You will be able to manage and motivate your small team, cope with ambiguity as well as working collaboratively within a large, very busy HR/ER team. If this sounds like you, please get in touch, expect robust interview questions as we want the best HR partnering for our charity and the most competent ER knowledge. In return will offer a supportive team environment, working from home, competitive salary and very generous staff benefits.
About the role
With line management responsibilities for a team of HR Business Partners, the Senior HR Business Partners will drive HR aspects of the Strategic Plan ensuring development and delivery of the strategy to enable relationships and people management solutions across Shelter and Shelter Scotland.
The postholder will identify HR priorities which supports Shelter and Shelter Scotland’s Strategy, making recommendations to the HR Senior Leadership Team that supports the overall strategic direction.
Role specifics
As a Senior HR Business Partner at Shelter, you will play a key role in delivering our People strategy, ensuring it supports the wider goals of Shelter and Shelter Scotland. You’ll lead on embedding effective business partnering across directorates, providing expert HR support and insight to help achieve strategic objectives. Reporting to the Head of HR Business Partnering and Employee Relations, you’ll help foster a strong partnership with Trade Unions and lead key HR projects that drive organisational change. As a senior leader within the team, you’ll manage up to two HR Business Partners, offering coaching, development and performance support, and creating opportunities for collaborative, cross-functional working.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The HR Business Partnering Team provides the strategic lead on people management and organisational development at Shelter. We aim to enable the organisation to have the right Culture, Capacity and Capability to achieve its purpose. We do this through providing Employee Relations and Business Partnering support, partnering with specific directorates within the organisation to understand business needs and advise on people initiatives which support the delivery of directorate objectives. Working with colleagues within the wide people directorate to delivery cultural and structural change management initiatives tailored to the needs of the business. Supporting the Head of HR Business Partnering in the continued development and delivery of the wider people plan.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Registered Charity 
More than 1000
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Housing to lead our supported housing services nationally and help shape the next stage of our growth.
As Director of Housing, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all of Life’s supported housing services. This is a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for ensuring our housing provision is high‑quality, compliant, safe and truly centred around the needs of our clients.
You will lead our national Housing Strategy, drive service improvement, ensure regulatory compliance, support organisational growth, and champion a culture of compassion, accountability and high performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Growth
- Develop and deliver a national Housing Strategy aligned to Life’s vision and mission.
- Identify housing development and expansion opportunities, including partnerships with local authorities and commissioners.
- Support organisational business planning and future growth.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with housing legislation and regulatory requirements including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, HHSRS, safeguarding and Health & Safety.
- Lead regulatory audits, inspections and risk management.
- Provide assurance on compliance and viability to the CEO and Trustees.
Service Quality & Client Experience
- Embed a client-centred, compassionate approach aligned with Housing Ombudsman principles.
- Oversee effective complaints management, learning reviews and client feedback systems.
- Ensure properties and services meet high standards of safety, warmth and comfort.
Operational Leadership
- Lead housing management, income recovery, voids, repairs and maintenance, compliance and tenancy sustainment.
- Ensure effective escalation of tenancy breaches and safeguarding practices.
- Work closely with Life’s Helpline services around referral and allocations.
Financial & Asset Management
- Oversee rental income, arrears, void control and financial performance.
- Manage contracts, grants and local authority funding.
- Ensure major works, planned maintenance and statutory compliance are delivered effectively.
Leadership & People Management
- Lead and support Housing Managers, support teams and frontline workers.
- Foster a positive culture of accountability, inclusion and high standards.
- Support staff development and performance.
Partnership Management
- Build strong relationships with local authorities, property professionals, contractors, funders and other key partners.
- Represent Life at external forums and sector networks.
About you:
Essential
- CIH Level 5 (or equivalent) qualification
- Senior leadership experience in supported housing, social housing, or homelessness services
- Strong knowledge of housing law, tenancy management and regulatory compliance
- Understanding of Housing Ombudsman standards and consumer regulations
- Experience in strategic planning, service development and organisational growth
- Budget management and financial performance experience
- Experience with property maintenance, asset management and compliance
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills
- UK driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
- Experience supporting vulnerable women or family services
- Charity/third sector leadership experience
- Experience securing funding or development partnerships
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values :
All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Salary: £45,750 per annum
Hours: 32 hours per week
Location: Home based with extensive travel across the South of England
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Are you passionate about making a real impact through safer, high‑quality environments? Do you want to use your estates, health & safety and compliance expertise to help drive meaningful change across a national charity? If so, Life Charity would love to hear from you.
We are looking for an experienced, proactive, and values‑driven Estates Manager to lead our Estates function and ensure our services, properties, and environments consistently meet the highest standards.
The Role:
As Estates Manager, you will be the driving force behind the quality, compliance and safety of Life’s estate. This role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on management of our property portfolio, ensuring all sites are safe, secure and operating to required standards.
You will:
- Lead Health & Safety and Premises/Facilities Management across the charity
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and internal standards
- Oversee risk management, audits, inspections and safety monitoring
- Manage the Estates Coordinator and foster a culture of continuous improvement
- Work with external partners to ensure checks are carried out (Gas, Fire Safety, Legionella, Asbestos, etc.)
- Manage property acquisition, disposal, leases, maintenance and contracts
- Develop and maintain estates policies and reporting systems
- Drive a positive, proactive health & safety culture across Life
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone wanting to lead meaningful change within an organisation that truly makes a difference.
What You’ll Bring:
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised, proactive, and able to take initiative
- A strong communicator with excellent written and verbal skills
- Confident managing estates compliance, risk, safety and property-related functions
- Experienced in managing a portfolio of properties (minimum 3 years)
- Able to lead others and support their development
- Skilled in identifying improvements and driving change
Qualifications/Experience:
✔ NEBOSH (or equivalent) in Occupational Health & Safety
✔ Evidence of continuous professional development
✔ Experience in data analysis or financial management (desirable)
✔ HND or equivalent in business/charity administration (desirable)
Information about the role:
For further information, please see the attached job description.
Please note, there is a requirement to drive for this role.
Salary: £38,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Home Based with travel to Leamington Spa and sites around the UK
Benefits:
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Additional annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.
We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.