HR Manager (Employee Relations)

Maritime and Coastguard Agency; Southampton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays + Privilege Day

Staff discount portal

Career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working

Job summary

Maritime and Coastguard Agency is seeking a Human Resources professional to lead Employee Relations casework, handling disciplinaries, grievances, attendance and probation matters. You will ensure policy-compliant case management and risk mitigation within a fixed-term 24-month, full-time contract.

The role requires up-to-date Employment Law knowledge, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple cases with senior stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience of Employee Relations casework management, including disciplinaries, grievances, attendance and probationary issues.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Employment Law relevant to Civil Service employment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple ER cases in line with MCA and Civil Service policies.
• Ensure timely conclusions of ER cases and act as escalation point when required.
• Manage litigation cases including Employment Tribunal and Personal Injury.
• Monitor casework MI, identify trends and propose solutions.

Skills

ER casework management

Employment Law knowledge

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CIPD Level 5

Job description

Salary: £35,663 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type: Fixed term – 24 months with potential for extension and/or permanency, Full-time

Are you a Human Resources professional eager for a new challenge? Do you have current knowledge and recent experience of dealing with formal and informal cases such as disciplinaries, grievances and attendance management? Can you manage multiple cases at the same time? If so, we'd love to hear from you! This exciting opportunity will see you will be responsible for the effective management of cases from disciplinaries to grievances and performance to probation.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Managing multiple cases ensuring that all casework and employee relations (ER) activities are carried out in accordance with MCA and wider Civil Service policies and procedures.
• Ensuring ER cases have a timely conclusion and act as an escalation point, where required.
• Managing litigation cases including Employment Tribunal and Personal Injury.
• Monitoring and maintaining up to date casework Management Information, identifying trends and risks, whilst proactively identifying solutions.
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About you

• Experience of Employee Relations casework management which may include grievances, disciplinaries, attendance management, litigation, performance or probationary issues.
• Up to date knowledge of Employment Law.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to effectively manage priorities.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including senior managers and external service providers.
• CIPD Level 5, or willing to work towards.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 17th September 2026