PO Manager in Thornton

Supporting the business and our divisional offices, our Head Office functions cover all departments from our Executive Board through to our support functions such as Group Design and Technical, HR, Health and Safety, IT, Sales and Marketing, Commercial, Procurement, Group Finance, Corporate Affairs, as well as Legal and Company Secretariat. We also have a specialised function – Barratt Partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Senior People Relations Manager you will support the team in delivering a customer‑focused service, act as an escalation point of support for day‑to‑day HR queries and advise in line with company policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to employees and managers to facilitate the early resolution of employee relations issues, such as performance management, employee grievances, conflict resolution, investigations and disciplinary actions ensuring that risks are effectively managed.
• Manage ER cases and sensitive situations such as long‑term absence and workplace adjustments, maintain accurate case records, documentation (letters, outcome reports, meeting notes) in line with legal and internal standards and liaise with external partners as required.
• Deliver training programs for managers and employees on ER topics (e.g. absence management, disciplinary).
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers to build their capability and confidence in handling people issues, promoting early resolution and constructive dialogue.
• Ensure all ER activity is compliant with policy, process, employment laws and regulations and applied consistently across the organisation, escalating risks as appropriate.
• Support wider people initiatives (e.g. restructures or change projects).

What you’ll need

To be successful in this role, we are looking for:

Personal characteristics

• Fully mobile – must be able to travel when and where required.
• Executes with excellence – delivers impact through practical problem solving, engagement with stakeholders and purposeful, timely execution.
• CIPD qualification (or equivalent).
• Strong working and up to date knowledge of employment law.

Skills

• Agile working: Flexible, able to prioritise, manage multiple cases and time effectively.
• Analytical and investigation skills: Gather information, analyse data, identify patterns and causes of issues, draw conclusions and make recommendations.
• Communication: Articulate, clear and concise, able to communicate progress, risks and issues to management and legal representatives.
• Compliance & risk management: Ensure ethical conduct and compliance with policy, process and legislation, maintain accurate records and manage risk.
• Conflict resolution: Understand the root cause of conflicts and issues, remain objective, and de‑escalate to maintain a harmonious working relationship between management and employees.
• Continuous learning: Stays up to date on the latest employment law and regulations to provide valuable insights and recommendations.
• Employee relations: Able to manage employee relations and provide guidance on issues such as long‑term absence, misconduct and disciplinary actions.
• Interpersonal skills: Approachable and empathetic, able to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Problem‑solving: Creates timely and well‑informed solutions, to ER issues.

Benefits

We’ve been nationally recognised as a 5 star housebuilder since 2010 for supplying high‑quality homes for all generations. That’s more than any other major housebuilder. It’s because we combine the brightest minds, the latest technology, and a genuine commitment to putting customers first. We want the best people in the industry to help us shape the future of building. We have tailored opportunities for apprentices, graduates, experienced professionals and ex‑Armed Forces personnel to come and help us stay one step ahead, and build the homes that Britain needs.

• Competitive Salary
• Competitive Bonus Scheme
• Private Medical Cover – Single Cover
• Annual Medical Health Assessment
• 26 days’ holiday (increase by 1 day for every 3 years’ continuous service up to 29 days)
• Choice of Flexible Benefits
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Our Benefits Are Fit To Measure

Today’s housebuilding professional need tomorrow’s benefits, so they’re ready for whatever the future brings. When you join Barratt, you get the kind of support you would expect from a business built for a modern working world.

• Private medical cover: Private healthcare support is available for timely access to a virtual GP, for diagnosis, treatment and more — including physio and talking therapies. You can even add family members.
• Pension: First‑class pension schemes with the option of up to 10% employer contributions.
• Annual Health Assessment: All colleagues are able to access a fully funded annual health assessment, helping you to proactively manage your health and wellbeing.
• Financial Benefits: As well as a competitive salary, we offer many ways to make life more affordable – from access to employee loans and savings accounts, to house purchase discounts.
• Lifestyle Benefits: Cycle to Work scheme, reduced hotel rate, discounts at major retailers… These make a massive difference to the quality of your lifestyle.
• So much more… From death in service, paid volunteer and study leave, enhanced family friendly policies (including our Parents and Carers leave) to a share buying scheme, we have an incredible range of additional benefits.