At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex employee relations hearings and make impactful decisions.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on people and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, competitive pension, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for travel across the UK.
- Why this job: Shape fair outcomes and influence organisational culture in a visible role.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in employee relations and strong knowledge of UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Shape fair outcomes. Influence culture. Make a real impact. We invite you to join our People & Culture team as a Senior Employee Relations Hearing Manager. You’ll serve as a trusted, independent decision-maker on the organisation’s most complex and sensitive cases.
Why this role stands out
- Operate as a final decision authority on complex, high-risk cases
- Influence senior stakeholders and organisational outcomes
- Shape fair outcomes and protect our culture
We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best. The role can be 28–35 hours per week and is a 9-month secondment. Throughout the role you may need to travel across the UK, including overnight stays, and attend meetings at least two days a week in office locations.
Benefits
- Access to private medical insurance
- A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
- Access to an annual performance-related bonus
- Training and development to help you progress your career
- A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
- Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
- Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
- Up to two days of paid volunteering a year
What you’ll be doing
You’ll be an independent decision maker, chairing formal hearings and appeals in some of the most complex cases from across the organisation. The decisions you reach will align with UK employment law, the ACAS Code and our own policies, and will balance procedural fairness, proportionality and commercial considerations. You will communicate clear, evidence-based decisions and make recommendations that influence organisational outcomes. Working with senior stakeholders across the business, you’ll play a key role in managing legal and reputational risk and have a tangible impact on culture. As part of a small team, you’ll shape the future of hearing and decision-making standards, identifying trends and opportunities to strengthen consistency and capability across the organisation. This is a highly visible role with significant impact on colleague experience, organisational culture and risk management, requiring strong judgement, commerciality, independence and credibility at senior levels. It may also involve representing Nationwide Building Society in external legal proceedings. Because this role supports cases across the UK, regular travel will be required, and you should be comfortable working flexibly across locations to meet business needs.
About you
- Have significant experience chairing complex employee relations hearings and appeals, conducting sensitive investigations or leading complex ER case work
- Have extensive leadership experience or strong employee relations experience, with the credibility to guide, challenge and influence stakeholders in complex situations
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of UK employment law and the ACAS Code as it relates to dealing with conduct and capability cases, with the ability to apply this practically
- Demonstrate strong independent judgement by evaluating complex or conflicting evidence and balancing empathy with objectivity to make clear, fair, balanced, evidence-based and defensible decisions, particularly in sensitive or ambiguous situations
- Have experience working in a regulated environment, with a strong understanding of risk, governance and control frameworks and the commercial awareness to balance employee relations, risk and business outcomes
- Be an excellent communicator with strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, including at senior levels and with experience of facilitating meetings
- Have experience of producing high-quality written outputs suitable for external scrutiny
- Have a strong understanding of behavioural and cultural expectations, and promote inclusion, dignity and respect in all decision-making
- Be highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple complex cases and competing priorities
- Demonstrate resilience, integrity and professionalism in high-pressure or high-risk situations
Senior ER Hearing Manager in Swindon employer: Nationwide
At Virgin Money, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in Cleckheaton. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing training and development opportunities, alongside a competitive benefits package that includes generous holiday allowances, health and wellness resources, and a strong pension plan. Join us to be part of a team that values customer care and community impact, where your contributions are recognised and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 Senior 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.
