Employment Law and Policy Manager in Leeds

Accountable for managing employee litigation raised via Employment Tribunal in the UK and WRC in ROI. Acting as the go-to person with ACAS and IBEC in all early conciliation. This role will be responsible for managing the risk with UK Employment Tribunal and where appropriate look to manage low-risk cases internally by completing ET3 responses and representing the company when Counsel is not required. This role will also advise and draft policy updates to ensure Bidvest Noonan achieve their ambition of becoming an employer of choice.

Key accountabilities:

• Working in partnership with ACAS and IBEC leading on all litigation and settlement agreements.
• Managing cases appropriately and working in partnership with line managers.
• Support and attend Employment Tribunal cases and hearings when required.
• Providing expertise, preparing relevant documents and responses to the Tribunal, and ensuring the organisation's best interests are well-represented.
• Assist the Director of Employee Relations in the development of the individual case management strategy by ensuring that high-profile cases are managed, other cases are resolved quickly, and lessons are learnt.
• First escalation point for Employment Law matters from the business.
• Keep employee policies up to date and draft new policies where legislative changes require.
• Provide colleagues and managers with support, specialist expert advice, guidance and interpretation of HR policy and practice, specifically in relation to employee relations activity.
• Provide support for complex Employee Relations cases, appeals and/or IR disputes as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the People Business Partner team to support the resolution/preparation of employee litigation cases.
• Support the Director of Employee Engagement to work with the HR leadership team in improvement activities relating to HR process and policy, data management and HR service level.
• Ensuring engagement is maintained and managers act in a way that involves employees and fosters a positive work environment.
• Ensuring managers are upskilled to deal with people-management challenges and interpreting policies in a fair and effective manner.
• Contribute to the completion of regular and customised management information on a timely basis.
• Help to build and deliver best practice across the group to help to embed our HR ethos and values.
• Deliver coaching and support to Employee Relations Advisors to build confidence and support learning and development.
• Build trusted, credible relationships with leaders and HR teams to provide specialist ER advice and solutions for complex, high risk or high-profile ER cases.
• Work in partnership with stakeholders/leaders and relevant HR Teams to provide insights based on data and knowledge into the ER environment.
• Demonstrate exemplary judgement, ensuring balanced advice based on assessment of risk.
• Hold high standards of case confidentiality and ensure that confidentiality is a clearly understood element of all business relationships.
• Identify and coach leaders/managers to improve the management of employee relations cases.
• Support in own key ER projects including HR policy updates, wellbeing initiatives and occupational health.
• Act as the ER expert in key business practices including Whistleblowing, client removal etc.
• Conduct and support regular case reviews with the ER Team to build capability and ensure we’re providing credible ER advice.
• Any other duties commensurate with the capability of the post holder and as required by the nature of the role.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience required:

• Employment law Solicitor
• Exceptional & demonstrable record of delivering against targets
• Experience of employment legislation.
• Full understanding of ACAS and the Employment Tribunal System (WRC and EAT in Ireland)
• Ability to establish credibility and be able to influence at Operational level
• Excellent networking skills and stakeholder engagement skills
• Have independence and the ability to challenge constructively and positively
• Evidence of working successfully with central functions in a shared services environment

About Us: Bidvest Noonan is a team of 27,000 passionate and customer-focused people. We work together to deliver exceptional service and value to customers across the UK and Ireland. We recruit great people to deliver our services and we provide them with the resources, training, and direction they need to do their best work. We always put people first. Our people are exceptional and go the extra mile to deliver outstanding services. We celebrate and recognise their successes at every opportunity. At Bidvest Noonan, we strive to make each person feel appreciated, engaged, and supported so that they can reach their potential, knowing it has a positive impact on our overall success. Bidvest Noonan is highly committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can feel valued and respected. We are delighted to welcome applicants from our Armed Forces community and people from diverse backgrounds and identities.