Employee Relations Lead

English Schools Foundation; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

The English Schools Foundation is seeking an Employee Relations Lead to oversee the resolution of internal escalations and investigations, partnering with school leaders and the HR team. You will advise managers on policies, terminations and leaver administration, while ensuring compliance with Hong Kong law and ESF policies.

You will balance planned projects with reactive issues, develop staff training, and contribute to change initiatives in a dynamic education organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Law or related field; Master’s degree ideal.
• Strong consultancy, negotiation, analytical and influencing skills.
• Ability to advise leaders and manage complex employee relations matters.
• Experience with HK labour law and government bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end resolution of escalations and investigations in ESF.
• Advise managers and leaders on policies, grievances and discipline.
• Prepare and maintain case files for Labour Tribunal and other bodies.
• Ensure compliance with Hong Kong law and ESF policies.
• Deliver training and workshops to strengthen conflict management.
• Drive change projects and review HR policies and programmes.

Skills

Consultative

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Influencing

Decision-making

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or Law

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Workday

Job description

The ESF Human Resources function is committed to pioneering best practices across the entire human resources spectrum. To that end, ESF seeks to appoint an employee relations lead reporting to the Director of Human Resources. This is a unique opportunity to be at the heart of a dynamic education organisation. This role will have a lasting impact on shaping ESF's and positively impact the next generation.

This human resources professional role will assist and support in managing the Employee Relations portfolio at ESF, oversees the resolution of internal escalations and investigations. The successful candidate will maintain and promote a positive work environment, provide human resources guidance to managers and leaders, foster employee engagement, promote and ensure fair and equitable treatment of all employees and champion HR best practices.

The employee relations lead will assist in the management and resolution of ad hoc human resources questions and issues, working in collaboration with school leaders, to facilitate the smooth interface between ESF and employees. The successful candidate will balance their time between planned projects and reactive situations partnering with school leadership and HR teams to create and sustain a positive employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Lead the end-to-end resolution of internal escalations and investigations, ensuring outcomes that are timely, fair, and in adherence to ESF's values, internal policies and service standards.

• Be a trusted advisor and facilitator to ESF employees, managers, and key stakeholders.

• Assist the ESF HR Director with providing guidance and advice to all schools while staying true to ESF's vision, mission, goals and policies.

• Provide human resources advice and guidance to leaders and managers on policies, grievance and discipline management, terminations and leaver administration.

• Prepare and maintain case files for claims made with the Labour Tribunal and/or other government bodies, working with external counsel as needed.

• Attend cases at the Labour Tribunal and/or other government bodies.

• Ensure all employee relations cases are managed in compliance with Hong Kong Law.

• Maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity in all interactions and documentation.

• Ensure ESF HR deliverables are in compliance with legal, regulatory and ethical standards, of the required quality, in adherence to ESF's values, internal policies and service standards.

Training and development

• Create, prepare and present at workshops to drive ESF's people and culture agenda.

• Deliver training and coaching to ESF Staff members to strengthen proactive conflict management and support continuous professional development

Special Projects/ Change Initiative

• Champion and drive change and special projects.

• Advise managers and leaders on effective change management strategies and the deployment of change.

• Review and enhance HR policies, processes, and programs to better support ESF staff members

• Prepare presentations and data/insights analysis working with other ESF HR personnel and stakeholders as required.

Requirement

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law or a related field. Masters degree ideal.

• Excellent consultative, negotiation, analytical and influencing skills.

• Confident in decision-making and providing human resources advice and counsel.

• Ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams.

• Creative problem solver who is solutions focused with a bias for action.

• Adaptable, flexible, open-minded and collaborative management approach.

• Ability to interpret legal provisions, policies and procedures.

• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity and work effectively in a culturally diverse workplace.

• Consultative approach with sensitivity and knowledge of diversity, equality and inclusion.

• Strong business/organisational knowledge and savvy.

• Solid understanding of a client-facing, HR business partner service mode.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to compose a variety of correspondence and professional reports.

• Experience with human resources systems (such as Oracle, SAP, Workday) with a high level of technical skill in Excel, Google Analytics, BI, etc.

• Experience with Labour Tribunals and/or similar government bodies.

• Knowledge of Hong Kong labor laws and regulations is essential.

Applicants must be a permanent Hong Kong resident or possess a valid visa to work in Hong Kong.

For enquiries, please contact Karen Ng @ 37622653 or Email: [e-mail]

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and offers may be extended prior to the job closing date. We strongly recommend early applications as we reserve the right to appoint candidates earlier than the closing date.

By applying for this position, your application may be considered for other opportunities (senior-level roles, head of department, etc.) within ESF.

ESF is an Equal Opportunities Employer

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities. ES