At a Glance
- Tasks: Support managers with people policies and enhance employee experiences in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Leading UK retail organisation with a high-performing People Team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent training and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a progressive team and make a real difference in employee relations.
- Qualifications: HR experience or strong desire to grow in a People function.
A leading UK retail organisation is seeking a People Policy Specialist to join its high-performing People Team on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional with a passion for employee relations, people policy, and delivering exceptional colleague experiences within a fast-paced environment.
The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting managers and employee representatives by providing expert guidance on a wide range of people policies and employee relations matters. The role would suit someone highly organised, confident communicating over the telephone, and motivated to build a career within a progressive People function.
Key Responsibilities- Providing people policy advice and coaching to line managers and employee representatives via telephone, supporting fair, balanced, and confident decision-making.
- Building strong working relationships with stakeholders to advise on options, risks, and best practice approaches.
- Supporting the delivery of excellent customer service by achieving key service targets, including response times and customer satisfaction measures.
- Producing and guiding managers on high-quality written communications, including outcome letters and case documentation.
- Developing knowledge across a broad range of people policies including absence management, disciplinary, performance management, flexible working, family leave, resourcing, and time off policies.
- Managing Occupational Health referrals, ensuring referrals are appropriate, supporting managers with report outcomes, and advising on next steps.
- Managing queries and cases through HR systems, ensuring accurate case management, clear documentation, and timely responses.
- Reviewing case trends and themes to provide insight and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Collaborating closely with wider People teams to support positive business outcomes and a high-performance culture.
- Proactively seeking feedback to improve policy application and colleague experience.
- Previous experience within HR, employee relations, people policy, or a strong desire to develop within a People function.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders over the phone.
- Strong coaching and influencing capabilities.
- High attention to detail and strong written communication skills.
- Experience supporting or drafting formal letters and case documentation.
- A passion for employee relations and delivering positive colleague outcomes.
- Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Manchester office.
- Wednesday team anchor day.
- First 6 weeks fully office-based for training (5 days per week).
- Shift patterns typically between: 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm.
- Flexibility required for occasional late evenings (approximately 1 in every 6 weeks).
- Weekend working required on a rota basis depending on business needs.
- Competitive salary of £28,000 - £33,000.
- Generous holiday allowance with option to purchase additional leave.
- Pension and life assurance.
- Wellbeing support including virtual GP and mental health services.
- Opportunity to develop within a supportive and collaborative People team.
Employee Relations Advisor 6-Month FTC in Manchester employer: Oakleaf Partnership
Join a leading UK retail organisation that prioritises employee wellbeing and development, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions are valued. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and comprehensive wellbeing support, this role as an Employee Relations Advisor in Manchester provides an excellent opportunity for HR professionals to thrive in a collaborative environment while making a meaningful impact on colleague experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Advisor 6-Month FTC in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees in the company you're eyeing, especially those in HR or employee relations. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research common questions for Employee Relations Advisors and practice your responses. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it’ll help you showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for employee relations! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted colleague experiences in the past. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Advisor 6-Month FTC in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Employee Relations Advisor. Highlight your experience in HR and employee relations, and don’t forget to mention any specific people policies you’ve worked with. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about employee relations and how you can contribute to our high-performing People Team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of communication, make sure your written application reflects your excellent verbal skills. Pay attention to your grammar and clarity, as we’ll be looking for strong written communication abilities right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakleaf Partnership
✨Know Your Policies
Familiarise yourself with the key people policies relevant to the role. Understand the ins and outs of absence management, disciplinary procedures, and flexible working policies. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in employee relations.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves a lot of telephone communication, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might want to do mock interviews with a friend or family member to get comfortable with discussing complex topics over the phone.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you manage multiple priorities effectively. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully juggled various tasks, especially in a fast-paced environment. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in the role.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences and the team culture. This not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also highlights your strong interpersonal skills, which are crucial for this position.
