Description:
As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will manage and advise on a diverse range and high volume of ER cases across Cancer Research UK (such as performance management, conflict resolution, ill health, grievance, and disciplinary). This will involve supporting and developing line managers in creating an environment where employee concerns and conflicts are resolved compliantly, while fostering effective communication channels to promote a culture of openness, trust, and mutual respect.
Your legacy by the end of this contract will be to have positively impacted Cancer Research UK’s employee experience, ultimately creating an environment where our people feel they belong and are better enabled to deliver the charity’s lifesaving work. If you are an experienced Employee Relations and/ or Human Resources Advisor with a background in medium to large-sized organisations, while managing a high volume of ER cases, we would love for you to join our mission.
What will I be doing?
- Providing expert advice, coaching, and development to managers across the organisation to resolve all ER cases (such as performance management, conflict resolution, ill health, grievance, and disciplinary) effectively and in line with legislative requirements and Cancer Research UK’s policies and procedures.
- You will be managing a caseload of c.30-40 cases at a time.
- Supporting case managers to make sound unbiased decisions ensuring colleagues are treated in a human way through robust, credible ER advice and support.
- Collaborating with colleague representatives and case managers to ensure that all cases are resolved efficiently to mitigate organisational risks in everything we do.
- Mediating and facilitating conflict resolution between parties by promoting open communication, mutual understanding, and constructive dialogue to resolve informally and amicably wherever possible.
- Accurately recording and maintaining case information ensuring that all case-associated paperwork is of a professional standard and meets GDPR and data protection regulations.
- Identifying opportunities to improve business processes and approaches and collaborating with colleagues across HR and the wider organisation to implement these.
What are we looking for?
- Experienced Employee Relations and/ or Human Resources Advisor (or equivalent) with a background in medium to large-sized organisations.
- Proven success managing 30+ employee relations cases at any one time involving senior stakeholders, end-to-end with strong attention to detail, organisation, and prioritisation.
- Thorough knowledge of employment law, regulations, and best practices related to employee relations.
- Strong understanding of HR policies and procedures, disciplinary and grievance processes, and employee engagement strategies.
- Has trained and coached case managers and senior stakeholders to conduct investigations and manage employee relations cases with sensitivity, confidentiality, and impartiality.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively interact and build relationships with employees at all levels of the organisation.
- Experience generating professional reports and writing ER letters.
- Ability to provide practical, solution-oriented advice and guidance to employees and management on employee relations matters.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills with the ability to remain resilient, calm, and composed in challenging situations.
- Ideally, available on one month's notice or less.