At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape colleague experiences and provide expert policy advice in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join the People Policy Team at M&S, a leader in retail innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Hybrid working with flexible hours 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. 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 ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. 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 Advisor - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract in Salford employer: Marks & Spencer Plc
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. As part of our People Policy Team, you'll enjoy a supportive environment with tailored training, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in shaping colleague experiences across our UK locations. Join us in a role that not only values your expertise but also encourages personal growth and a sense of purpose in the retail industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Policy Advisor - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at M&S on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Employee Relations Policy Advisor role. Personal connections can give you insights that no job description can.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to employee relations. Think about how you would handle specific scenarios that might come up in the role. We want you to show off your problem-solving skills and passion for creating positive colleague experiences!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your communication skills! During interviews, be clear and concise when discussing your experiences. Use examples that highlight your ability to influence decision-making and coach others, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the M&S team. Let’s get you that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Policy Advisor - 6 Month Fixed Term Contract in Salford
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 interact with line managers and BIG representatives.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:This position is all about managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Be sure to mention any experiences where you successfully juggled various tasks or projects, as this will show us you can thrive in our dynamic setting.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward, and you’ll be part of our journey to create amazing colleague experiences at M& S!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer Plc
✨Know Your Policies
Familiarise yourself with M& S's employee relations policies and procedures. Being able to discuss specific policies during your interview will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Practice Your Coaching Skills
Since this role involves coaching line managers, prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced decision-making in the past. Think about situations where you balanced business needs with fairness and compliance.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Be ready to demonstrate how you've built rapport over the phone or in person. You might even want to practice answering questions clearly and concisely to highlight your ability to convey information effectively.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
This position requires someone who can handle a fast-paced environment. Share examples of how you've managed multiple priorities or adapted to changing circumstances in previous roles, especially in retail or people-focused settings.
