Senior ER/HR Specialist in Milton Keynes

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Senior HR/ER Specialist for a 6 month contract on a hybrid basis (3 days from Milton Keynes, Birmingham or Manchester, remainder WFH/remote). Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail - Europe’s largest civil engineering project - to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!

As a Senior HR/ER Specialist, your main responsibilities will be:

• Provide expert Employee Relations advice and guidance to senior leaders and managers.
• Manage complex ER cases including grievances, disciplinaries, conduct, capability, performance and absence.
• Partner with business leaders to develop and deliver people strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Lead and support organisational change programmes, including restructures, redundancies, TUPE, consultation and redeployment.
• Build effective relationships with Trade Unions and support consultation, negotiation and industrial relations matters.
• Coach and influence managers to improve confidence and capability in managing people and ER issues.
• Identify ER trends, risks and recurring issues and recommend proactive interventions and improvements.
• Provide advice on employment legislation, HR policies, procedures and organisational risk.
• Work collaboratively with HRBPs, Centres of Expertise and HR Shared Services to deliver effective people solutions.
• Support positive employee relations, engagement and a culture of fairness, trust and accountability.
• Contribute ER expertise and operational insight to the development of HR policies and frameworks.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation and provide consistent, commercially focused HR advice.

Essential:

• Strong Employee Relations experience, including complex case management.
• Proven experience partnering with and advising senior business leaders.
• Experience delivering organisational change, including restructures, redundancy, TUPE or workforce transitions.
• Experience working within a unionised environment and managing Trade Union relationships.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation, HR policies and ER best practice.
• Proven coaching, influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial and business-focused approach to HR and Employee Relations.
• CIPD qualified or equivalent level of HR experience.
• Experience operating effectively within a complex organisational environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.

Desirable:

• MCIPD or relevant postgraduate HR qualification.
• Experience managing complex HR or organisational change projects.
• Experience working within a highly unionised Maintenance or Operations environment.
• Experience using ER data and trends to identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Graduate calibre.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas. Please note that Network Rail has a maximum 90-minute commute policy for all staff to the specified location for this role. Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.