At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative change in Employee Relations and Wellbeing teams to enhance colleague experience.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement savings with over 200 years of expertise.
- Benefits: Earn up to £100k, enjoy 38 days annual leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement while driving meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact by shaping a progressive, data-driven vision for employee relations.
- Qualifications: Strong people leader with experience in HR transformation and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
We are looking for an Interim Employee Relations Transformation Lead to join our Colleague Experience & HR Operations team. If you are an experienced people leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings others with you and delivers change, this could be a great opportunity for you.
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months
Location: Hybrid. This is a hybrid role, with quarterly travel expected to support face to face time with the team, most likely in Edinburgh and Birmingham.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 2nd September 2026
Salary and benefits: Salary of up to £100k depending on level of experience, indicative bonus range of 30-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, income protection, 3 x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
The role presents an exciting opportunity to join our Operations Leadership team and lead a strategic review of our Employee Relations and Wellbeing teams. You’ll undertake a comprehensive assessment of our current operating model, identifying key strengths, opportunities and priorities that will help shape the future of these critical colleague facing teams.
Working at the heart of our colleague experience and operational delivery, you will help redefine how both Employee Relations and Wellbeing services are delivered, transforming the way we support colleagues, manage risk and drive positive business outcomes. A key focus will be evolving from reactive case management to proactive, insight-led model that builds capability, drives consistency and enables better outcomes for colleagues, leaders and the business.
You will influence how teams deliver both business-as-usual activity and strategy change initiatives, redesigning processes, systems and ways of working to improve effectiveness, efficiency and experience. As part of this, you will create opportunities to broaden capability, build specialist expertise and develop future-ready skills, ensuring the team continues to be recognised as a centre of excellence.
This is an exciting opportunity to create a lasting impact by shaping a progressive, data-driven and inclusive vision for Employee Relations and Wellbeing, building on existing strengths while creating the foundations for future growth, innovation and excellence.
What are we looking for?
- A strong people leader with experience leading and delivering transformative change in an agile, large-scale, high matrixed regulated business, with the ability to balance an exceptional colleague experience with strong commercial outcomes in an HR or employee relations environment.
- Proven ability to create high-performing, inclusive and empowered culture, underpinned by operational excellence and enabled by modern and progressive ways of working including digital solutions.
- Strong judgement and proven ability to balance risk management, commercial outcomes, regulatory requirements and colleague experience considerations to deliver sustainable business value.
- Experience leading within an HR role focused on the delivery of change or transformation and demonstrating ability to balance employment law considerations alongside operational, commercial and experience outcomes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence and credibility to work collaboratively with operational teams, HR Business Partners and our staff association to drive successful outcomes.
- A passion for continuous improvement, using data, insight and emerging trends to challenge traditional assumptions or approaches and drive meaningful change.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
ER Transformation Lead in Birmingham employer: Standard Life plc
At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and personal growth. With competitive benefits including up to £105,000 salary, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career development, our London-based team thrives in an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. Join us as a Principal Cloud Architect and be part of a company dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the retirement sector while enjoying a balanced work-life approach.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ER Transformation Lead in Birmingham
✨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 Standard Life plc 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 Transformation Lead in Birmingham
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 Standard Life plc. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life plc
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at Standard Life plc, 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 Standard Life plc 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 Standard Life plc.
✨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 Standard Life plc.
