Job title: HR Officer – Employee Relations

Post number: HR5045

Reports to: Lead HR Adviser

Department:Human Resources (HR)

Location:Moulsecoomb

Grade: 6

Purpose of the role:

The post holder will support the delivery of operational and strategic aims in line with the HR Strategy and agreed objectives. The Employee Relations Team is responsible for delivering a cohesive employee relations services covering pay and reward, union relationship management, formal negotiating and consultation frameworks, pay and conditions of service, employment legislation impact assessment, policy development and review, performance management, HR advice and guidance and formal casework management.

Line management responsibility for: N/A

Main areas of responsibility:

  1. Assist the HR Manager (Employee Relations) and the Lead HR Advisor in providing an accurate, efficient, timely, and customer focused employee relations service to the organisation in line with the HR strategy.
  2. Coach and support managers on adopting good HR practice by offering effective HR advice through the interpretation of current employment & case law, best practice and relevant policies
  3. Under the supervision of the Lead HR Advisor, advise managers on first line employee relations cases e.g. sickness, disciplinary, capability etc. supporting them through investigations, in line with relevant policies and procedures.
  4. Provide advice and support to managers in relation to small scale change processes in line with the appropriate policies/procedures.
  5. To research, revise and/or develop HR policies and processes based on current legislation, best practice, and in line with organisational need.
  6. To undertake and/or support HR project work as appropriate.
  7. To provide advice, guidance and support to managers on terms and conditions including employment law, contract queries, performance issues , absence management, and the application of HR policies in line with best practice.
  8. Support HR colleagues in monitoring the effectiveness of HR Strategy, policies and procedures and identifying ways in which improvement can be made.
  9. Advise on job descriptions and associated grading issues and participate in job evaluation panels.
  10. Assist with the design and delivery of bespoke training to managers on the application of HR policies and procedures and HR topics where a specific need has been identified.
  11. Support HR colleagues in monitoring the effectiveness of HR Strategy, policies and procedures and identifying ways in which improvement can be made.

Working alongside a number of HR Advisers, workload will be managed through regular discussion and supervision from the Lead HR Advisor to ensure appropriate support and guidance is provided and reallocation of responsibilities takes place where necessary e.g. escalation of casework.

The post holder may additionally be asked to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser graded post.

General responsibilities:

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge / Sound knowledge of current employment law and best practice.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills and the ability to express complex arrangements with clarity, presenting information clearly to a diverse audience.
Able to work on own initiative with awareness of boundaries, identifying where advice/support is needed.
Demonstrate effective coaching skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with difficult situations.
Flexible with an ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment. / A & E
A & I
I
A & I
A
A
Qualifications / CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.
GCSEs/good standard of education. / A
A
Experience / Significant experience in a HR environment, including providing advice/support to managers on formal employee relations casework.
Experience of interpreting legislation, policy or procedures to give recommendations and advice.
Experience of data recording, analysis and recommendations based on outcomes.
Experience of researching and developing/reviewing HR policies. / A & I
A & I
A & I
A
Technical/work based skills / IT literacy including HR database skills. / A & E
Desirable / Relevant degree or professional qualification.
Experience of having provided HR training.
An understanding of current issues in Higher Education (HE), particularly in relation to workforce having worked in a HR role in HE..
Experience of using a computerised HR system (Resourcelink). / A
A
A
A
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a full time post and is permanent.
  • The University of Brighton welcomes job sharers. Job sharing is a way of working where two people share one full-time job, dividing the work, responsibilities, pay, holidays and other benefits between them proportionate to the hours each works, thereby increasing access to a wide range of jobs on a part-time basis. The advert for the post for which you are applying will indicate whether applications from job sharers can be considered (this may not be possible for a post that is already part time for example) and further information can be found on the ‘Balancing Working Life’ section here Benefits and facilities.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
Band 10 and above / 30 days / Band 10 and above / 30 days
  • More information about the department/school can be found here Professional Services Departments or here Academic departments (schools and colleges)
  • Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy
  • The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website.

Date: October 2017