At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee relations hearings and deliver fair outcomes across the organisation.
- Company: Join a dynamic People & Culture team in a forward-thinking organisation.
- Benefits: Private medical insurance, competitive pension, annual bonus, and wellness options.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for travel across the UK.
- Why this job: Make impactful decisions while shaping a positive workplace culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations and knowledge of UK employment law required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our People & Culture team in a new pilot role as an Employee Relations Hearing Manager. You’ll act as a trusted, independent decision-maker delivering high-quality employee relations outcomes across the organisation.
Why this role stands out:
- Build expertise in hearing management and decision-making
- Deliver independent decisions on a range of cases
- Be part of a new and evolving approach to Employee Relations delivery
We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best. The working hours (per week) for this role can be between 28 and 35 hours. This is a 9‑month secondment opportunity. Hybrid working is available wherever possible, with an expectation that you will spend at least two days a week in the office, and travel anywhere in the UK, including occasional overnight stays, as required.
Benefits:
- Access to private medical insurance
- A highly competitive pension
- Annual performance‑related bonus
- Training and development opportunities
- Additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
- Life assurance
- Wellhub – health and wellness options
- Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year
What you’ll be doing:
You’ll be an independent decision maker, chairing formal hearings and appeals across the organisation. Your decisions will align with UK employment law, the ACAS Code, and our own policies, balancing procedural fairness, proportionality, and commercial considerations. You will communicate clear outcomes, explaining the rationale for decisions and reinforcing expected behaviours. Working with stakeholders, you’ll support the effective management of legal and reputational risk by handling cases appropriately and escalating more complex or high‑risk matters where needed. As part of a small team of hearing managers, you’ll contribute to improving the consistency and quality of ER casework, identifying trends and opportunities to strengthen capability across the organisation. Travel across the UK will be required and you should be comfortable working flexibly across locations to meet business needs.
About you:
- Have experience chairing employee relations hearings or leading/supporting complex ER casework
- Bring experience in employee relations and/or people management
- Demonstrate sound knowledge of UK employment law and the ACAS Code, with the ability to apply this in practice
- Have a good understanding of risk, governance and control frameworks and ideally experience working in a regulated environment
- Demonstrate the ability to assess complex or conflicting evidence, drawing balanced conclusions and making proportionate decisions
- Demonstrate good independent judgement and the ability to balance empathy with objectivity, making fair, consistent and commercially aware decisions in sensitive cases, seeking guidance where appropriate on more complex matters
- Be an effective communicator with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to facilitate meetings confidently
- Have experience producing clear, well‑structured written outcomes suitable for review and scrutiny
- Have a good understanding of behavioural expectations and cultural standards and promote inclusion, dignity and respect in all decision‑making
- Be well organised, with the ability to manage multiple cases and priorities
- Demonstrate resilience, integrity and professionalism in a challenging and fast‑paced environment
Our customer‑first behaviours are:
- Feel what customers feel – we step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
- Say it straight – we are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
- Push for better – we don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
- Get it done – we prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ER Hearing Manager in Swindon
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at Nationwide and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace ER Hearing Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at Nationwide. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nationwide
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at Nationwide, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that Nationwide uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at Nationwide.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at Nationwide.
