ER Specialist

Primark Stores Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Reading seeks an Employee Relations Specialist to provide support across the UK Retail Management teams. The ideal candidate should have strong relationship-building skills and a proactive approach to employee relations. Responsibilities include advising on compliance, managing cases, and supporting change management projects. This position offers competitive benefits and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Pension scheme

27 days of leave

Tax Saver Tickets

Fitness center

Subsidised cafeteria

Qualifications

• Proven ability to build impactful relationships with stakeholders.
• Ability to make data driven, commercially focused decisions.
• Exceptional organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Positive attitude and eagerness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, practical and proactive employee relations support.
• Advise on employee relations cases and internal policies.
• Support on change management projects.
• Conduct HR audits and report on ER metrics.

Skills

Collaborative team player

Effective communication

Data driven decision making

Organisational skills

Customer-focused mindset

Innovative thinking

Job description

Employee Relations Specialist

Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way.

People & Culture at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.

What You’ll Get

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle: Option to join our pension scheme, 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.

What You’ll Do as an ER Specialist

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Provide timely, practical and proactive employee relations support and advice to the UK Retail Management teams across GB and Northern Ireland. Coach and guide Retail Directors and management on employee relations cases, internal policies and provide support on the management of Employment Tribunals and Acas Early Concilation Claims.

Support on change management projects. Assist the Employee Relations Manager to deliver an effective Employee Relations function. When supporting on cases consider the relevant legislation, risk assess and keep the Company compliant; proactively and consistently consider lessons learned and any follow up actions required.

Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:

Case Management

• Provide expert advice on a wide range of ER issues including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and absence cases.
• Partner with Retail Directors, Area Teams, and Store Managers to resolve complex cases and drive positive outcomes.
• Collaborate with trade unions, legal teams, and external partners to ensure compliance and consistency.
• Support high-profile cases, attend tribunals when required, and use insights to improve future ER practices.

Policy Development

• Stay up to date with employment legislation and support updates to policies, contracts, and templates.
• Assist in communicating policy changes effectively to line managers through appropriate channels.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training to upskill management teams on ER topics.
• Use learnings from casework to inform policy improvements and ensure best practice.

Operations

• Lead and support people-related projects including organisational design and change management.
• Conduct HR audits and contribute to reporting on key ER metrics and KPIs.
• Identify trends and insights from case data to drive proactive ER strategies and early intervention.
• Continuously contribute to process improvements and share best practices across the ER team.

What You’ll Bring

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

Working with others

• A collaborative team player who builds impactful relationships with stakeholders
• Communicates effectively and respectfully at all levels

Decision making

• Data driven, considered, and commercially focused in all decisions
• Acts at pace

Self-direction and agility

• Highly organised, detail orientated with the passion to deliver excellence
• A positive ‘can do’ attitude at all times
• Always looking for new ways to develop self and learn and gain new experiences

Customer experience

• Has the customer, internal and external, in mind in everything they do
• Has the drive to deliver and surpass the customer requirements

Innovation

• Confidence to express new ideas and challenge the status quo
• Implement new ideas at pace

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.

About Primark

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.

Our fashion isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

REQ ID: JR-2806