Job title:Employee Relations Support Officer

Reports to:HR Manager – Employee Relations

Department:Human Resources

Location:Moulescoomb

Grade:5

Purpose of the role: to provide administrative and project support for employee relations activity in the HR Department including pay and promotions processes, trade union consultation and negotiation meetings, and undertaking research/project work as directed.

Main areas of responsibility:

  1. To provide administrative support to pay, grading, and promotion processes for academic and professional staff, including the Professorial Board, ensuring all processes run smoothly.
  1. To record and monitor data relating to promotion process outcomes, noting trends and highlighting areas of concern, providing reports on outcomes including recommendations as required.
  1. To undertake research and support activity relating to employment law updates, pensions, terms and conditions of service, and any other ad hoc projects as appropriate, researching best practice, making recommendations and drafting updated documents as required.
  1. To provide administrative support to formal and informal trade union meetings ensuring they operate efficiently, following up on actions and ensuring any outstanding work is flagged up as appropriate.
  1. To undertake research associated with the development and implementation of new employment policies and/or terms and conditions of service, providing briefings and suggested changes/recommendations to ensure best practice.
  1. To foster a cooperative employee relations climate through effective engagement and liaison with trade union colleagues, assisting with the management of trade union facilities and providing assistance to HR staff and managers on policy updates and trade union activities.
  1. To support the HR Manager and/or Departmental Management Team with specific project work and day-to-day employee relations activities which will contribute to the overall delivery of HR strategy.
  1. To provide HR Advisors/Officers with information/data e.g. Joint Negotiation Committee updates, that support clear, consistent advice to managers across the university.

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 and Diversity 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 /
  • A broad understanding of employment law and good practice in relation to HR processes involved in the employment lifecycle of staff.
  • Understanding of the issues relating to equal pay and job evaluation
  • Good understanding of effective administrative processes, including the use of electronic systems for supporting and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of administration.
/ A, I
A, I
A, I
Qualifications /
  • Literacy and numeracy Level 2
/ A
Experience /
  • Previous experience of having worked in a Human Resources department
  • Providing support to formal meetings/committees including preparation of agendas, minutes, briefing notes, following up on actions, etc.
  • Analysing data (e.g. promotions outcomes, HR policy equality impact assessments) and producing information reports with recommendations
  • Experience of having used databases to provide information/reports in order to support organisational requirements with recommendations for action
  • Experience of having reviewed processes to ensure efficient service provision
/ A, I
A, I
A, I, E
A, I
A, I
Managing people /
  • Ability to work collaboratively with others to ensure required objectives are met
  • Able to work effectively as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility in supporting achievement of the wider department’s objectives
/ A, I
A, I
Technical/work based skills /
  • Proficient in the use of MS Outlook, Excel and Word
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
  • Ability to manage small scale projects
/ A, I, E
A, I
A, I
Other requirements /
  • Ability to undertake research on specific topics as directed, advising on recommendations for action
  • Ability use initiative whilst recognising when to seek guidance from others
  • Tactful and sensitive; able to understand the perspective of others
  • Able to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately
  • Excellent communication skills; able to share information in a clear and concise manner
  • Ability to assimilate new information quickly, and to recognise key issues relevant to required tasks
/ A, I, E
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I
Desirable /
  • Studying towards an HR qualification
  • Hay trained in job evaluation
  • Previous experience of having worked with trade unions
/ 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 post is for 30 hours a week and is permanent.
  • 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, arepro-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
  • More information about the department can be found 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: 24 November 2016

02 November 2018