At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape a positive employee experience and manage complex relations within the HR team.
- Company: Join a top-rated firm recognised for its inclusive culture and employee satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace in Birmingham City Centre with a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee relations while growing your HR expertise in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR with strong knowledge of UK employment law and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
About the role: We have an exciting opportunity for an Employee Relations Specialist to join our HR team based in Birmingham. In this role, you will play a key part within the HR Advisory team, helping to shape a positive and consistent employee experience across the firm. You will provide proactive, commercially focused support across the full employee lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on managing complex employee relations matters. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will balance risk, pragmatism and commercial insight to deliver solutions that support both the business and our people. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders, influencing effectively and helping to foster a fair, inclusive and high-performing culture. Alongside your advisory responsibilities, you will play an active role in HR projects and strategic initiatives, working collaboratively with HR Business Partners and the wider team to support organisational change, continuous improvement and the delivery of our People & Talent strategy. This includes shaping and enhancing ER frameworks, processes and tools, as well as supporting initiatives that drive engagement, performance and retention.
About you: We’re looking for an experienced HR professional with a strong track record of managing a broad range of employee relations cases end-to-end, including complex and high-risk matters. You will bring a solid understanding of UK employment law and its practical application, alongside the confidence to build strong relationships with stakeholders and influence effectively, including providing constructive challenge where needed. With a balanced, commercial mindset, you will be able to navigate people, regulatory and business considerations to deliver pragmatic, well-judged outcomes. You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailoring your approach to suit a variety of audiences, and a high level of attention to detail, particularly when preparing case documentation and formal correspondence. Strong organisational and technical skills are essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint and Word) to support data analysis, reporting and the creation of professional documentation.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
- Experience at HR Advisor / ER Specialist level within a law firm or regulated environment
- Experience using HR data and insights to inform decision-making
- CIPD Level 7 qualification
What We Can Offer You: The opportunity to work for a firm which has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK and has been ranked by Great Place to Work® for 26 consecutive years. Excellent benefits, including:
- A hybrid approach to office and remote working
- 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to a week's extra annual leave
- Free private medical insurance, and the option to add family members
- A generous pension allowance
- Life assurance covering four times your annual salary
- The chance of a three-month sabbatical every five years
- Maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes
- A range of health and wellbeing programmes
- State of the art offices, in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, with an onsite restaurant
- Opportunities to flourish in your role through training and personal development
Equal Opportunities: Gowling WLG is committed both to promoting equality and diversity in the firm and to Equal Opportunities in employment. The firm believes in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group (including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins), religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender re-assignment and gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity. This also includes any incidents of perceptive or associative discrimination and harassment. At Gowling WLG we seek to attract and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, to create an exciting and rewarding place to work. Our aim is to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals.
If you have any queries in relation to this position or would like to see a full job description please contact Meg Astley at meg.astley@gowlingwlg.com
Employee Relations Specialist in Birmingham employer: Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is an exceptional employer located in Birmingham, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee development, the firm provides numerous growth opportunities and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a supportive culture that values engagement and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in event management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Specialist in Birmingham
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Gowling WLG!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Gowling WLG.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Specialist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Gowling WLG. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Gowling WLG and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Gowling WLG. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Gowling WLG's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gowling WLG
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Gowling WLG.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Gowling WLG will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Gowling WLG and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
