About our School/Directorate and Team:
Based in Edinburgh
Role: Grade 8
Salary Range: £46,485 - £56,921
Covering all University Campuses internationally, the HR Directorate provides a range of strategic and operational HR Support and Guidance to the Leaders, managers and employees of the University. The services cover the full employee cycle from the point of attracting staff as potential employees, through their recruitment and induction, career development and reward and recognition.
Context and Background
The HR Operations team is led by the Head of HR Operations with a team of HR Business Partners, HR Consultants and HR Advisors who as a team partner with client areas, manage and support change management programmes, develop and deliver bespoke HR solutions and manage and support case work.
This is a newly formed role but continues to develop strong work undertaken in managing the relationships and ensuring positive engagement with our recognised trade unions and representatives. The University works with 3 Trade Unions: University and College Union (UCU), UNISON and Unite.
Purpose of Role
* Lead on Employee Relations matters including engagement with trade unions and the management of the formal machinery consultation (and negotiation where appropriate).
* Take lead responsibility for assessing current and future employment legislation, keeping updated on best practice and Higher Education sector trends, providing guidance and recommendations as a subject matter expert.
* Be a subject matter expert in employee relations cases such as Discipline, Grievance and Performance Management.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
* Actively develop the relationship with the Trade Unions in the UK promoting positive partnership working and a culture of open, timely and meaningful consultation.
* In times of Industrial Action, specifically leading on related processes including but not limited to accurate recording of strike activity/ASOS and management of related processes.
* In any large scale organisational change programmes, lead on the administration and technical requirements of such programmes.
* Provide advice on complex individual cases ensuring that University policies are followed and managers and impacted staff are supported throughout.
* Support cases that could, or do, result in Employment Tribunal proceedings, providing a strategic approach to the management of claims, with guidance/support of the Head of HR Operations.
* Line manage and/or manage project work which may include project teams from across the University.
* Be an integral part of a review of how ER case work is managed, seeking to deliver an effective and efficient service and way of working.
* Collaborate within HR and with the Trade Unions (and other stakeholders) to improve the quality and coverage of HR policies, ensuring they are fit for purpose.
* Collaborate with the Employee Engagement team and other stakeholders around improving the staff experience.
* Assist in the devising and implementing of in-house training for managers on relevant subjects.
* Assist in the devising and implementing of in-house training for HR colleagues in specialist knowledge.
* Draft reports and prepare project updates.
* Aid in further developing key statistics and reports on ER activity.
Education, Qualifications & Experience:
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.
Essential:
* Educated to first degree level or equivalent practical experience in the workplace.
* Experience of working in a unionised environment with a track record of building effective partnership style relationships.
* Ability to persuade, motivate and lead others; competent in the use of relevant IT packages, particularly being data confident in both producing, manipulating and interpreting data.
* Demonstrable substantial professional expertise in employee relations and relevant employment legislation and best practice.
* People management experience, setting goals and standards, guiding and coaching colleagues, including ideally experience of operating in a matrix structure.
* Strong written communication skills; ability to prepare papers and presentations.
* Demonstrable excellent customer service.
* Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment.
* High level project management, planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise major developments and to function effectively in a pressured environment.
Desirable:
* Experience of working on major organisational change programmes as either a senior Business Partner or ER lead.
* Professional Qualification or membership of a Professional body (CIPD).
* Experience of working in Higher Education or similar public sector unionised environment.
How to Apply:
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
Applications must include a CV and covering letter.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.
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