At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape colleague experiences and provide expert policy advice in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join M&S, a leading retailer committed to quality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: 20% discount, competitive holidays, strong pension, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee relations while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational and communication skills, with a passion for people policies.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Join our People Policy Team at M&S and play a vital role in shaping great colleague experiences across our UK Stores, Support Centres and Castle Donington. As a Policy Specialist, you'll be a trusted partner to line managers and BIG representatives, providing expert guidance that balances business needs with fairness, care, and legal compliance. This is a fast‑paced, people‑focused role where no two days are the same. You'll coach, support and influence decision‑making, helping to create positive outcomes for both colleagues and the business. If you're passionate about employee relations, love solving problems, and want to grow your career in a supportive and high‑performing environment, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
All the details
Please note this role is a 6-month fixed term contract.
Working pattern
- This role is suited to someone who is comfortable working in a retail‑facing environment and can offer flexibility around operational needs.
- Hybrid working with at least 3 days per week in the office; Wednesday is the team anchor day.
- During the first 6 weeks, training will be office‑based 5 days per week.
- Core shift patterns are typically 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm or 10am-6pm.
- You’ll need flexibility for late nights on either a Tuesday or Thursday, approximately 1 in every 6 weeks.
- Weekend working is expected up to every other weekend, depending on rota and business need.
What you’ll do
Your key accountabilities will include:
- Provide expert policy advice and coaching to line managers and BIG representatives via telephone, supporting confident and fair decision‑making.
- Deliver an outstanding customer experience by meeting key service targets, including call handling and satisfaction measures.
- Support the creation of high‑quality written communications, including outcome letters and case documentation.
- Manage Occupational Health referrals, guiding managers through the process and helping interpret outcomes and next steps.
- Accurately manage cases and queries using Oracle MyHR and shared mailboxes, ensuring records are up to date and insights are captured to inform continuous improvement.
Who you are
Your skills and experience will include:
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence over the phone.
- Confident coaching and influencing capability, supporting others to make balanced, fair decisions.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to produce clear, professional written communications.
- Passion for employee relations, with experience or a strong interest in applying people policies and developing a career in a People team.
What’s in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger — helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We're inclusive, fast‑moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing. Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third‑party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market‑leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone’s welcome
We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Employee Relations Policy Specialist - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract employer: Marks and Spencer
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic employer, offering a supportive environment where you can thrive as an Employee Relations Policy Specialist. With a strong focus on colleague wellbeing, competitive benefits like a 20% discount, generous holiday allowance, and tailored training from day one, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing your career in a fast-paced, people-centric culture. Join us in shaping exceptional colleague experiences across our UK Stores and Support Centres, and be part of a team that values fairness, care, and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Policy Specialist - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at M&S through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to employee relations. Think about how you’d handle specific scenarios and be ready to share your experiences. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for employee relations during the interview. Share examples of how you've positively impacted colleagues in previous roles. This will help us see that you’re not just looking for a job, but a chance to make 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 the M&S team.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Policy Specialist - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in employee relations and policy advice. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of coaching and influencing, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and professional language in your written application to reflect how you’d communicate with line managers and colleagues.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:This position is fast-paced, so we’re looking for candidates who can juggle multiple priorities. In your application, mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed competing tasks or projects in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at M&S!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks and Spencer
✨Know Your Policies
Familiarise yourself with M&S's employee relations policies and procedures. Understanding the nuances of these policies will help you provide informed answers during the interview and demonstrate your passion for employee relations.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached or influenced others in previous roles. Highlight specific situations where your guidance led to positive outcomes, as this aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of the Policy Specialist role.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Since the role requires flexibility in working hours, be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to the needs of the business. Share any past experiences where you’ve successfully managed changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Given the emphasis on communication skills in the job description, consider doing mock interviews to refine your ability to build rapport and convey your ideas effectively over the phone.
