Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist - Maternity Cover (12 Months)
Salary - Up to £55,000 depending on experience plus Veolia benefits including a car/car allowance and enhanced pension scheme
Location - Hybrid - Cannock - Kingswood
Hours - 40 hours Monday to Friday
Duration - 12 month maternity cover contract'

When you see the world as we do, you see the chance to help the world take better care of its resources, and help it become a better place for everyone. It's why we're looking for someone who's just as committed as we are, to push for genuine change and bring our ambition of Ecological Transformation to life.

We know that everyone here at Veolia can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

What we can offer you:

• Access to our company pension scheme
• Discounts on a range of well known retailers and such things as groceries
• Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health; so you can lean on us whenever you need to
• Onsite Gym
• 24 hour access to a virtual GP, 365 days a year, for you and family members in your household
• One paid days leave every year to volunteer and support your community
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential

What you'll be doing:

We are seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to join our Commercial Business Unit on a 12 month maternity cover contract The Employee Relations Specialist will provide specialist advice and solutions in line with current legislation on all employee relations matters to managers across our Commercial Business Unit. This will include but not limited to complex disciplinary, grievances, investigations, TUPE, restructures and capability. Coaching and upskilling line managers on all employee relations matters to ensure all processes are procedurally and legally compliant with minimal risk to the business.

The role requires utilising analytical skills and data to assess key focus areas and applying emotional intelligence to identify proactive solutions to employee relations issues. The successful candidate will be passionate about employee relations and committed to making a positive impact in the workplace, with commercial awareness being critical in making balanced decisions that benefit both employees and the business whilst embedding the Commercial ER strategy. .

• Develop the capacity of line managers to manage a range of Employee Relations (ER) problems locally, developing management styles to foster positive working relationships with employees, minimising the occurrence of line management problems and issues and fostering a positive climate for ER activity.
• Coach and develop managers to be competent and consistent in their execution of Veolia's policies and procedures encouraging problems to be dealt with informally and as soon as possible, rather than allowing situations to escalate.
• Proactively manage and support the company in relation to all elements of TUPE and Mergers and Acquisitions. Ensuring all relevant processes are followed and compliance is met.
• Foster and support a partnership relationship with the unions at the local level, by supporting managers with local pay negotiations and to identify with unions and Business Managers joint initiatives and proactively participate in regular meetings.
• Embed the Commercial Absence Plan and to work with managers to reduce absence levels in risk areas.
• Proactively monitor ER trends using the relevant KPI's and appropriate management tools (PowerBi, Workday) to proactively plan, advise and recommend appropriate action for future.
• Develop trusted relationships with the relevant senior management team, by ensuring a first class ER service is delivered and trusted advice is given.
• Work collaboratively with the HR Business Partners within the Business Unit on a range of people and organisational matters specific to the Commercial Business Unit.
• Work flexibly across the Business Unit as required supporting colleagues on projects and work activity.
• Support project work as and when directed on wider ER/ HR projects and ER strategy.
• Work collaboratively with the other Business Unit HR Teams to enable cross working and knowledge share for the benefit of all of our people.
• Foster and support a partnership relationship with the Trade Unions at a local level

What we're looking for:

- Level 5 CIPD or equivalent qualification.

- Previous experience in an HR Generalist or ER role within a unionised and regulated environment.

-Proven ER experience including advising on complex case work and litigation with the ability to apply the relevant legal principles and risk assessment.

- Currently working in a comparable operational environment acting as a strategic ER partner leveraging people and employee relations expertise to drive organisational success and business outcomes .

- Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to interact across all levels of management and operational teams.

- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability and ability to deliver results to demanding deadlines in a fast paced environment.

Desired

• Level 7 CIPD or equivalent qualification. Chartered member of CIPD or working towards this with evidence of continuous professional development.

If you feel that you'd be a great fit for this role, then we'd like to find out more about you.

What's next?

Apply today, so we can make a difference for generations to come.

We're proud to have been named as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This consistent recognition reflects our commitment to our people, demonstrating that Veolia is not just transforming the environment, we're also transforming what it means to have a rewarding, purposeful career.

We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your application journey, offering adjustments where reasonable and appropriate. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long-term condition who opt-in to the Disability Confident scheme, and meet the minimum criteria for our roles.

We're also committed to ensuring that all applicants and colleagues receive fair treatment without discrimination on any grounds, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.