Employee Relations Business Partner

Johnson Johnson; Cork; On-site; EUR 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson is seeking an Employee Relations/Labour Relations Partner for a six-month contract to advise on complex ER/LR matters across Ireland, the UK and South Africa. The ER/LR Partner serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert for high‑risk case management and policy development, aligning with global frameworks.

Role requires influencing policy, driving proactive ER/LR automation and AI strategies, and supporting organisational change while ensuring compliance with local

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Employee Relations and Labour Relations across multinational environments.
• Broad knowledge of employment law across geographies and regulatory contexts.
• Proven record of managing high-risk, sensitive cases and advising senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-risk / high-complexity ER/LR cases (discipline, grievance, performance, misconduct, discrimination, whistleblowing).
• Advise on collective consultations, negotiations and industrial relations strategies; liaise with legal counsel on complex matters.
• Develop, review and implement ER/LR policies; monitor employment law changes and advise on business impact.
• Guide organisational restructures, TUPE/transfer undertakings, and change programmes with risk assessment.
• Utilise data to identify trends and drive efficiencies, automation and AI in ER/LR processes.
• Design and deliver ER/LR training for leaders; provide executive updates on risk and outcomes.

Skills

Employee relations

Labour relations

Employment law knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advisory

Data-driven decisions

Executive communication

Tools

ER case management tools

Job description

Imagine your next project driving high-impact employee and labour relations strategies across Ireland, the UK, and South Africa, while leveraging cutting-edge AI and automation within a global healthcare leader.

Johnson & Johnson Global Services is seeking an Employee Relations/Labour Relations Partner for a six month contract. The Employee & Labour Relations Partner serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on complex employee relations and labour relations matters for primarily Ireland but also the UK and South Africa. This role partners closely with HRBPs, business leaders, Centres of Excellence, and legal teams to promote a fair, compliant, and high‑performance culture across the region. The ERLR Partner will lead high‑risk case management, influence policy, drive proactive ER/LR automation and AI strategies, and support organisational change in line with local legislation and global frameworks.

roles and responsibilities.

• Lead and advise on high‑risk / high‑complexity cases (disciplinary, grievance, performance, misconduct, discrimination and whistleblowing).
• Support collective consultations, negotiation processes, and industrial relations strategies. Partner with legal counsel on complex matters, settlements, external claims, and regulatory issues.
• Lead the development, review, and implementation of ER/LR policies and frameworks. Monitor changes in employment law across the region and advise leaders on business impacts and required actions.
• Advise and guide through organisational restructures, TUPE/transfer of undertakings, right‑sizing, and other change programmes. Provide planning, risk-assessment, consultation guidance, and communication frameworks.
• Use data and insights to identify trends, hotspots, and opportunities for efficiencies and automation. Drive initiatives that improve leadership capability, improve employee experience, and reduce ER risk.
• Design and deliver ER/LR training for business leaders that drives capability levels.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, HRBPs, Legal, Compliance, and external partners. Provide executive‑level updates on risk, trends, and case outcomes. Influence leaders toward fair, sustainable, and risk‑mitigated people decisions.
• Understand the Key Performance Indicators and operational metrics that are critical to leading service delivery in order to achieve Service Level Agreements and strong employee experience.
• Make recommendations on continuous improvement opportunities to improve provision of services by reviewing and providing feedback on operational processes, policies, standard operating procedures and work instructions and introduce key improvement plans for execution through automation and AI.

how to succeed.

• Significant experience in Employee Relations and Labour Relations within a multinational or complex environment.
• Broad knowledge of employment law across geographies.
• Proven track record managing complex, sensitive, and high‑risk cases.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and collaborating with senior leaders, key partners and employee representative bodies.
• Ability to establish a culture passionate about speed, accountability and continuous improvement while building employee-centric repeatable and sustainable processes required.
• Experienced in shaping solutions and driving business results, with strong communication and reciprocal partnership skills with internal and external partners to ensure the effective execution of HR solutions across the enterprise required.
• Experience supporting multiple geographies (Ireland, UK, or South Africa an advantage).
• Background in HR Business Partnering, Legal, or ER Centre of Excellence.
• AI fluency and experience using ER case management tools.

This role offers a very competitive hourly rate. This contract will run for 6 months

you are welcome here.

Johnson & Johnson is working to create an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are valued and each and every one of our people feels that they belong and can reach their potential. No matter who they are.

about Johnson & Johnson

Caring for the world, one person at a time has inspired and united the people of Johnson & Johnson for over 130 years. As a skilled contractor, you’ll play a key part in the thinking, strategy, the dynamism - and impact - of this iconic global healthcare company as they touch the lives of nearly a billion people every day. Contribute to the next healthcare breakthrough with your next project at Johnson & Johnson.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

For more than 130 years, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) have been part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Our commitment to respect the dignity and diversity of all is embedded in our Credo. We know that the success of our business depends on having the best talent in a workforce that reflects the diverse markets we serve around the world and an inclusive culture that values different perspectives and life experiences. That is why we are working to create an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued and each one of our people feels that they belong and can reach their potential. No matter who they are. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Johnson & Johnson means “You Belong”.