HR Employee Relations Lead

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Tathall End; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is looking for an HR professional to support employee relations. You'll advise colleagues on best practices and manage complex cases related to grievances and performance. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in employee relations, a Level 7 CIPD qualification, and strong communication skills. Benefits include a competitive salary, civil service pension, and excellent on-site facilities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Civil Service Pension

Training and development opportunities

On-site facilities including gym and restaurant

Interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in employee relations and project management.
• Well-developed knowledge of employment law.
• Strong influencing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the organization to build positive employee relations.
• Advise colleagues to maintain excellent people management practices.
• Lead casework on grievances and performance issues.

Skills

Employee relations

Project management

Communication skills

Influencing skills

Education

Level 7 CIPD qualification

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Job description

Overview

At FCDO Services we protect the UK's interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and more. We focus on our people—their skills, aspirations and growth matter as much as our global mission.

To protect a nation, we need people with a wide range of skills: from architects to accountants, and electricians to engineers. Our HR team supports every step of the way—helping us attract, train, develop and retain talented colleagues. This is your opportunity to join them.

Responsibilities

• Support the organisation to build strong, positive employee relations.
• Provide colleagues with advice and support to uphold excellent people management practices and maintain positive employee relations.
• Act as the lead casework adviser on a wide range of complex issues, including grievance, disciplinary, absence and performance, up to and including dismissals and preparation for Employment Tribunals.
• Maintain a focus on trends and remedial action for issues affecting efficiency and performance.
• Develop strong, consultative relationships with managers, trade unions and HR colleagues; resolve issues using experience and judgement.
• Provide education, awareness and coaching related to employee relations policy; keep knowledge of HR and Employment Law up to date and guide on policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Extensive experience of employee relations and project management.
• Well-developed knowledge of employment law.
• Level 7 CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong influencing and communication skills; ability to support colleagues on projects and during peak periods; able to work on broader team priorities.
• Desirable: awareness of the civil service HR policies and controls; ability to coach and mentor less experienced colleagues; experience working with trade unions; confident IT user with Microsoft Suite.

Benefits & culture

• Competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement.
• Civil Service Pension.
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• On-site office facilities including gym, nursery, café and restaurant.
• Interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes.