At a Glance
- Tasks: Guide managers on employee relations matters and ensure policy compliance.
- Company: Join a purpose-led organisation with a strong ethical foundation.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, annual bonus, pension contributions, and life assurance.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace culture and employee wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of UK employment law and experience in employee relations.
About the role
Working closely with the Employee Relations Manager and Consultants, the Employee Relations (ER) & Policy Specialist will guide and coach managers through a wide range of employee relations matters, ensuring they can confidently interpret and apply the organisations policies, frameworks and tools. As the first point of contact for ER enquiries, they will triage cases, determine the appropriate level of support, and manage their own caseload with a focus on ownership, resolution and maintaining a positive working culture.
The person in post will provide timely, legally sound and commercially minded advice to managers on matters such as performance management, sickness absence, probation, disciplinary and grievance. They will foster strong relationships across the business, offering constructive challenge where needed and empowering leaders to resolve issues effectively and at an early stage. With a commitment to fairness, consistency and compliance, they will ensure processes align with employment legislation, uphold the organisations values and contribute to the development of management capability.
A key part of the role involves maintaining accurate ER data, identifying trends and supporting the creation of meaningful insights. The postholder will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including Occupational Health, to ensure effective case management and the mitigation of people-related risks. Acting as a champion of the Group culture and People Strategy, they will help drive accountability in people management practices, support proactive interventions and contribute to a positive and productive workplace environment.
We operate on a team led hybrid approach with at least 2 days a week in the Coventry office.
Our benefits include:
- 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays and a holiday buy/sell scheme
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme
- Personal pension with matched contributions
- Life assurance (6 times annual salary)
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
About you
Youll be passionate about contributing to an organisation that values the experience of its members, customers and colleagues, and youll communicate clearly and pragmatically while building strong, trusting relationships with stakeholders. Approachable and able to put managers at ease with sensitive or confidential issues, youll bring strong commercial awareness, sound employee relations knowledge and a good grasp of UK employment law.
For this role youll need to have:
- Strong understanding of UK employment legislation and HR best practice, with experience of applying this pragmatically to achieve business outcomes.
- Proven experience of managing volume employee relations cases.
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
- Good problem solving and decision-making skills with natural curiosity to get to the root of issues and fully understand the situation.
- High attention to detail, and a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
- Experience of supporting managers on ER issues and/or policy interpretation/implementation.
Experience in these areas would be helpful:
- Have familiarity with employee relations case management systems
- Be CIPD qualified
- Experience of working in financial services, banking or insurance sector or in a regulated business.
About us
In 2025, Coventry Building Society purchased The Co-operative Bank. Bringing together our purpose-led building society with the UKs original ethical bank was the start of an exciting journey. Trusted by over four million people, were a mutually owned business free from shareholders, and with our combined experience of almost 300 years, our ethics and dedication will continue to guide us. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.
Were officially recognised as a Great Place to Work and our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and comprehensive support for wellbeing. Were serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability, and sexual orientation and we celebrate diversity. By working together, we know youll build more than just a career with us.
Flexibility and why it matters
We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, well consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.
Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer
Were proud to offer an interview or assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for our vacancies. As part of the application process, disabled applicants can opt in for the Disability Confident Interview Scheme. If there are ever occasions where it is not practicable to interview all candidates that meet the essential criteria, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we commit to interviewing disabled candidates who best meet the minimum essential and desirable criteria.
Employee Relations & Policy Specialist in Coventry employer: Coventry Building Society
Contact Detail:
Coventry Building Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations & Policy Specialist in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the company through LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. This can give you insider knowledge and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common ER scenarios. Think about how you would handle various situations, as this role requires strong problem-solving skills. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for employee relations during interviews. Share examples of how you've positively impacted workplace culture in the past. This will demonstrate that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our positive workplace culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations & Policy Specialist in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for employee relations and policy work! Share why you’re excited about contributing to a company that values its members, customers, and colleagues. A genuine passion can really make your application stand out.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with UK employment legislation and managing employee relations cases. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant examples!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to communicate your experiences and skills. Remember, we appreciate clarity and pragmatism, just like you’ll need in the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coventry Building Society
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on UK employment legislation and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in managing employee relations cases.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex employee relations issues. Highlight your decision-making process and how you got to the root of problems, demonstrating your natural curiosity.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can establish trust and strong relationships with managers and colleagues. Share experiences where you've successfully communicated sensitive information or coached others through challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Be prepared to discuss how you maintain accuracy in your work, especially when managing ER data. Mention any systems or processes you've used to ensure compliance and uphold organisational values.