Employee Experience Manager - Invest NI in Belfast

MCS Group is delighted to be partnering exclusively with Invest Northern Ireland, as they seek to appoint an Employee Experience Manager to join their HR Transformation Team on a full-time, permanent basis. This is a high-impact role offering the opportunity to shape how people experience work within one of Northern Ireland's most influential public sector organisations.

Reporting to the Head of HR Transformation, the postholder will play a pivotal role in embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing, and supporting a culture where people feel valued, supported and empowered to perform at their best.

About Invest Northern Ireland: Invest NI is transforming to be a leading economic development agency responsible for driving a high-performance economy. They support businesses of all sizes across the region to increase exports, create high-value jobs, improve skills and boost productivity, while also attracting inward investment.

This role sits within Invest NI's People and Culture Group, whose objective is to support delivery of the business strategy by providing cost-effective, business-aligned people solutions. The Group operates as a trusted business partner, supporting leaders and managers to deliver service excellence.

About the Role: Reporting to the Head of HR Transformation, the Employee Experience Manager will lead the design and delivery of initiatives that enhance how colleagues experience working at Invest NI. A core focus of the role is the development and implementation of a forward-thinking Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, ensuring that inclusion is embedded in policy, practice and culture.

You will also champion broader employee experience and wellbeing initiatives, using insight, data and engagement to strengthen attraction, retention and performance. Working collaboratively across HR, Learning & OD and the wider organisation, you will help create an environment where people can thrive and bring their best selves to work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop and deliver Invest NI's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy, translating priorities into meaningful and measurable actions.
• Lead organisation-wide employee experience initiatives aligned to the HR & OD Strategy, Talent Management Strategy and Cultural Assessment outcomes.
• Chair the Employee Connection Leads Steering Group, supporting effective engagement and collaboration across internal networks.
• Analyse equality and employment data, identifying trends and opportunities to improve fairness, inclusion and employee outcomes.
• Research and benchmark best practice, bringing evidence-based recommendations to enhance employee experience and EDI.
• Design and deliver employee insight activity, including pulse surveys and focus groups, and translate feedback into clear, actionable improvements.
• Support teams and managers to address employee experience outcomes and embed consistent, meaningful approaches across the organisation.
• Manage employee recognition and long-service award programmes, fostering a culture of appreciation and belonging.
• Lead delivery of the Employee Health & Wellbeing Action Plan, prioritising initiatives that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Oversee Mental Health First Aider provision, ensuring appropriate training, resources and support are in place.

This list is not exhaustive and additional duties may be required.

Person Specification:

To be considered for this role, candidates must demonstrate the following essential criteria, using examples from within the past 5 years by the closing date:

• Minimum Level 5 qualification (HND or equivalent) or at least 2 years' experience in a similar role with a primary focus on EDI.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience implementing initiatives to enhance employee experience and assessing their impact.
• At least 3 years' experience designing and delivering Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategies and action plans.
• Experience producing EDI-related policies, reports and communications for senior leaders.
• Proven ability to advise and influence employees, managers and senior leaders on EDI and employee experience matters.
• Extensive knowledge of equality legislation and its practical application in an organisational setting.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to use data and metrics to identify trends and drive improvement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and influence at executive level.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and respond flexibly to organisational needs.

Terms, Conditions, Benefits:

The Employee Experience Manager is permanent and full-time, 37 hours per week; however, Invest NI offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work life balance for their people.

• Contract: Permanent, full-time (37 hours per week)
• Location: Bedford Street Headquarters, Belfast (hybrid working available)
• Salary: £61,673 - £64,469 per annum (entry point at the minimum of the scale)
• Benefits include:

• Access to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI)
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years, plus 12 public and privilege holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Comprehensive wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Programme and Welfare Support Service
• Active Employee Connection Groups and wellbeing initiatives
• Strong commitment to learning, development and career progression

Equality of Opportunity: Invest NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, minority ethnic groups and female applicants.

How to Apply: Select 'Apply Now' to request a Candidate Pack for this Employee Experience Manager, an incredibly exciting opportunity for the brand. Applicants should submit a tailored CV and cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria. The Closing date is Monday 9th February at 12noon.