Principal Employee Relations Specialist in London

Are you an experienced HR professional known for your sound judgement, technical expertise, and ability to navigate complex organisational challenges? We're looking for a Principal HR Advisor to join the GSS HR Advisory UK & Ireland team. This is a senior advisory role for an individual who thrives on solving difficult people issues, influencing stakeholders, and driving high-quality, commercially focused HR solutions across the business.

As one of the most experienced members of the Advisory team, you will act as a trusted expert on complex employee relations, organisational change, and employment legislation, partnering with senior leaders and HR colleagues to support critical business decisions.

What you'll be doing:

• Provide expert advice and strategic guidance on complex employee relations matters
• Lead significant organisational change initiatives including restructures, TUPE transfers and harmonisation programmes
• Act as the escalation point for challenging and precedent-setting cases
• Partner with senior business leaders, BA HR and key stakeholders to enable business performance and effective decision-making
• Influence and coach leaders through complex people and organisational issues
• Support labour relations matters, employee representative consultations and union-related activity where required
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, governance standards and service delivery
• Lead or contribute to strategic HR projects and transformation initiatives
• Support capability development across the wider HR Advisory team through mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing

We value all our people and the contributions they make to our business, so it’s important that our rewards make us all feel valued here. That’s why we offer a flexible reward and benefits package, allowing you to choose the things that matter most to you, including:

• Non-contractual Profit Share Scheme
• Lifestyle benefits: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity for up to 10 days unpaid leave, sabbatical leave, flexible working options
• Wellbeing benefits: (incl. Private Medical, Dental Insurance, Health Assessments, Gym allowance). Company contribution towards eye tests and glasses (for computer/laptop users), and Flu Vaccinations. Also, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides free and confidential support for issues including work, family, relationships, money and health and we provide free fruit in our offices
• Financial Benefits: including a Pension Scheme with employer pension contributions up to 9%, Life Assurance and Income Protection
• Re-imbursement of relevant Professional Membership Fees (up to £570)
• Access to employee retail discount site for high street and on-line shopping

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

Qualifications:

We're seeking a highly credible HR professional with significant experience operating in complex, fast-paced, consultancy environments. You'll bring:

• CIPD qualification (Level 7 or equivalent qualification/experience)
• Extensive knowledge of current and upcoming UK employment law and employee relations best practice
• A proven track record managing complex ER cases and providing advice on high-risk business matters
• A reputation for sound judgement, resilience and delivering pragmatic solutions in complex situations
• Significant experience leading restructures, redundancy programmes, and organisational change projects
• Strong expertise in TUPE, consultation processes, and terms & conditions harmonisation
• The confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders at all levels
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance legal risk, business needs, and employee experience
• Experience operating within a Shared Services or matrix environment would be advantageous

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to become a recognised expert within a global organisation where your expertise will directly influence business decisions and employee outcomes. You'll work alongside a highly experienced shared services HR team, contribute to strategic people initiatives, and help shape the continued evolution of GSS HR Advisory within DNV.

You'll benefit from:

• Exposure to complex and business-critical people matters
• Opportunities to influence organisational change at scale
• A collaborative and supportive global HR community
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities
• The chance to make a measurable impact across the UK & Ireland business

Ready to make a difference? If you're looking for a role where you can apply your expertise, influence decision-making and help shape the future of HR Advisory, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and be the trusted expert behind great people decisions.

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.