The HR Directorate is a service-driven function, working closely alongside our six academic Schools and our Professional Services Directorates to understand and collaborate on their priorities, opportunities, and challenges. Operating at strategic and operational levels, within a rapidly changing political, economic, and legal context, the HR Directorate aims to provide innovative and practical solutions, thereby helping managers to achieve their aims and objectives.
Our culture and interactions with each other are underpinned by our values, and we continue to seek out ways to demonstrate our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion by removing barriers and promoting the diversity of our community.
Initial steps towards the integration of the HR Directorate will include the establishment of a dedicated Employee Relations & Policy Team. This new team will take the lead on complex HR casework, and support collective trade union relations. The Team will also provide strategic and operational expertise on employment policy formulation, best practice, and employment law. This will include taking a leading role in developing and implementing integrated HR policies, procedures, and related resources for the newly integrated institution.
Job Purpose
The Employee Relations Manager will be responsible for establishing and leading a new, dedicated, Employee Relations Team. Working in conjunction with the Head of Employee Relations & Policy Development, the postholder will take a leading role in the development and implementation of operational delivery plan for the effective and efficient management of employee relations casework across the newly integrated institution that supports the University’s strategic aims. The postholder will also support formal negotiations and consultation, as well as maintaining productive informal communication channels with our recognised trade unions and their officers.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Line Management:
* Manage a small Employee Relations Team including, where appropriate, the setting of service level standards and resource planning.
Employee Relations:
* Manage a portfolio of complex employee relations cases.
* Work with the Head of Employee Relations & Policy Development on the development and implementation of protocols for the referral of cases from the HR Business Partnering and People Services Teams, and to manage the associated tracking and reporting systems.
* Manage, coordinate, and participate in employment tribunals and associated legal fora.
* Liaise with specialist legal counsel as appropriate.
* Analyse themes identified as potential concerns through these processes, and provide this insight to inform policy development and revisions, reports to relevant stakeholders, and broader HR activities.
* Analyse trends from employment case law, and legislative and regulatory development, and in liaison with the HR Policy & Projects Manager, make recommendations for policy changes, updates, or training requirements.
* Lead on the development of good practice in relation to case management, conflict resolution and mediation.
* Develop and deliver training to managers on a wide range of employee relations skills, including investigation training and training for Chairs of Hearings/Appeals.
* Take the lead on the design and implementation/delivery of a variety of support mechanisms (e.g. guides, website resources, etc) to maximise the support available for those involved in informal and formal employee relations processes.
* Work closely with the Head of Employee Relations & Policy Development, the Head of Organisational Development, and other members of the HR Senior Team, in providing support with the implementation of change programmes that impact the University and its staff, ensuring both consistency and best practice are followed.
* Support collective trade union relations, for example by contributing to consultation and negotiation processes with the University’s recognised trade unions.
Alongside the above, the postholder will:
* Ensure that principles of equality of opportunity, respect, and inclusion are integrated into all interventions and processes.
* Participate in HR, University, and HEI working groups as required.
Additional information
* The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the University’s Equal Opportunities Statement.
* The post holder must accept responsibility for ensuring that the policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times.
* The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
“To provide a framework for developing and implementing working practices that will enable colleagues to work efficiently and seamlessly, maintaining a high-quality service to students and other stakeholders, and bringing them some additional flexibility, where appropriate. Hybrid working gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the importance of promoting a balanced lifestyle, reinforce the importance of collaboration, and modernise how we use the workplace.”
* Where a hybrid working arrangement can be accommodated, it is expected that colleagues will spend the majority (at least 60%) of their usual working time on campus each week. Specific details will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate. A hybrid working arrangement will not detract from any comprehensive induction, that will include relevant on-site activities.
Sustainable Development
This organisation is committed to a policy of best practice to assist in building a sustainable way of life by taking a positive, solutions-orientated approach. All post holders are encouraged to contribute through their roles to improving the environment.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement (EDI)
We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.
The University will meet its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in recruitment and seek to eliminate discrimination on the basis of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.
Selection and promotion criteria are kept under review to ensure that individuals are treated on the basis of the job requirements and on their relevant personal merits; and are not disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.