Employee Relations Consultant – FTC 6 months Reports to: Head of Employee Relations & People & Culture Policy Based: May be hybrid based within reasonable proximity to Bournemouth/Guildford (travel may be required to other AZUK offices). Who we are Allianz is a global insurance company serving across 70 different countries, but from the very first day you join our team you’ll know that your contributions are valued. We offer world class learning and career development opportunities, while we celebrate an inclusive culture. Role Description The Employee Relations Consultant plays a pivotal role in the effective delivery of the employee relations (ER) and people policy service to Allianz UK business (Allianz Personal, Commercial, Specialty and Shared Services) in the UK by ensuring employee relations cases are dealt with in accordance with employment legislation, best practice, internal policy, commercial and risk considerations. Supporting the Head of Employee Relations with the design and implementation of ER and policy strategy and ensuring alignment with People and Culture strategy and business goals. Key accountabilities: • ER delivery – operationalising the short and long-term ER and wider HR strategy, ensuring alignment with business strategies and goals, and helping the business serve its customers better • Case management - providing expert and timely guidance, advice and coaching to people leaders to help them confidently and independently manage a wide range of ER matters (eg investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, DSARs, appeals, flexible working requests, underperformance and ill health situations) • ER Toolkit – ensuring standardised ER tools, templates and processes are appropriate and accessible for the effective management of ER activity by all stakeholders, HR and line managers • Risk management - identifying exposure to risk, advising on risk mitigation to minimise risks materialising • Data management - maintaining accurate and up to date records for each ER case, in line with GDPR retention and deletion rules. Analysis of data from multiple systems and sources to produce insight to identify learnings and opportunities to influence business decision making and strategies • Relationship management - develop effective relationships with the business to promote good employee relations across all parts of the AZUK business. Leverage relationships with People Partners and People Consultants to understand business strategy and challenges to find ways to support the business with their ER matters • Union and ECF relations - maintain effective working relationships with Union Reps and the Employee Consultative Forum (ECF), to facilitate the effective and timely resolution of case and local issues • Policy – being a source of knowledge on multiple terms and conditions and people policies – able to advise HR colleagues and business stakeholders • Regulatory responsibility – implementing our obligations in regards to SM&CR conduct risk reporting by providing accurate case data to the SM&CR conduct risk reporting process ensuring reportable breaches are notified to employees when applicable • Continuous improvement - contribute to the wider HR team focussing on driving continuous development and improvement of the function, making us ‘future fit’. Skills & Experience: Essential Employee Relations case management experience and the ability to coach people leaders of all levels whilst balancing a busy case load Previous exposure to generalist HR or line management /operational environments, ideally advising in a complex, multi-site environment with multiple sets of terms and conditions, policies and procedures Expert knowledge and application/interpretation of UK legislation across all key HR policies and procedures Excellent written and verbal communication skills – can communicate complex information simply and can adapt style and tone accordingly, ability to confidently lead or co-deliver line manager upskilling and training in person and remotely Strong analytical ability – the skills to analyse data and statistics and transform this into insights to feed continuous improvement and decision making Attention to detail, especially in regard to accurate ER record keeping. Organisational change delivery experience (e.g. TUPE/Redundancy consultations). Commercially savvy– looks broader than just the people aspects. Ability to think commercially and pragmatically, with consideration of risk appetite, when analysing problems or recommending solutions/options to meet business needs Sound and balanced judgement when assessing and advising on the severity of employment relations issues Ingenious - looks for opportunities to continuously improve the way we do things and acts on ideas to deliver effective solutions Collaborative– a good networker and team player providing a flexible approach to achieve team and business goals. Qualifications: CIPD qualified and / or employment law qualifications (degree level or equivalent) (desirable) Mediation qualification (desirable). What We Will Offer You Recognised and rewarded for a job well done, we have a range of flexible benefits for you to choose from- so you can pick a package that’s perfect for you. We also offer flexible working options, global career opportunities across the wider Allianz Group, and fantastic career development and training. That’s on top of enjoying all the benefits you’d expect from the world’s number one insurance brand, including: Flexible buy/sell holiday options Hybrid working. Annual performance related bonus Contributory pension scheme Development days A discount up to 50% on a range of insurance products including car, home and pet Retail discounts Our Ways of Working Do you need some flexibility with the hours you work? Let us know as part of your application and if it’s right for our customers, our business and for you, then we’ll do everything we can to make it happen. Here at Allianz, we are signatories of the ABIs flexible working charter. We believe in supporting hybrid work patterns, which balance the needs of our customers, with your personal circumstances and our business requirements. Our aim with this is to help innovation, creativity, and you to thrive - Your work life balance is important to us. Our Purpose and Values We secure your future Be Brave | With Heart | Everyone Counts | Inspiring Trust Our purpose and values are more than just words on a website - they are the why and how of Allianz. They influence everything we do and guide us how to do it. Created by our people, for our people, they shape our culture, bring us together, and inspire us to be the best. Building an inclusive culture for us all to succeed. Diversity & Inclusion At Allianz, we value diversity and inclusion and back this up with our accreditations. Allianz is EDGE certified for gender inclusion, members of the Women in Finance Charter, members of the Stonewall Diversity Champion programme, signatories of Business in the Community’s Race at Work Charter, and an Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer. We have a range of employee networks focusing on gender inclusion, cultural diversity, LGBTQIA, disability and long term health conditions (including neurodiversity), intergenerational and life stages, parents and carers, mental wellbeing, menopause support and armed forces and veterans, all supporting you to bring your best and authentic self to work. Join us - Let’s Care for Tomorrow.