Job title:
Employee Relations Support Officer
Reports to:
HR Manager – Employee Relations
Department:
Human Resources
Location:
Moulescoomb
Grade:
5
Purpose of the role: to provide administrative and project support for employee relations
activity in the HR Department including pay and promotions processes, trade union
consultation and negotiation meetings, and undertaking research/project work as directed.
Main areas of responsibility:
1. To provide administrative support to pay, grading, and promotion processes for
academic and professional staff, including the Professorial Board, ensuring all
processes run smoothly.
2. To record and monitor data relating to promotion process outcomes, noting trends
and highlighting areas of concern, providing reports on outcomes including
recommendations as required.
3. To undertake research and support activity relating to employment law updates,
pensions, terms and conditions of service, and any other ad hoc projects as
appropriate, researching best practice, making recommendations and drafting
updated documents as required.
4. To provide administrative support to formal and informal trade union meetings
ensuring they operate efficiently, following up on actions and ensuring any
outstanding work is flagged up as appropriate.
5. To undertake research associated with the development and implementation of new
employment policies and/or terms and conditions of service, providing briefings and
suggested changes/recommendations to ensure best practice.
6. To foster a cooperative employee relations climate through effective engagement
and liaison with trade union colleagues, assisting with the management of trade
union facilities and providing assistance to HR staff and managers on policy updates
and trade union activities.
28 July 2017
7. To support the HR Manager and/or Departmental Management Team with specific
project work and day-to-day employee relations activities which will contribute to the
overall delivery of HR strategy.
8. To provide HR Advisors/Officers with information/data e.g. Joint Negotiation
Committee updates, that support clear, consistent advice to managers across the
university.
General responsibilities
These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.




To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be
reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade
To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to
actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible
To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in
accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act
To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
28 July 2017
The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills
(both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that
your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by
your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an
exercise (E).
Essential criteria
A, I, E

Knowledge


A broad understanding of employment law and good
practice in relation to HR processes involved in the
employment lifecycle of staff.
Understanding of the issues relating to equal pay and
job evaluation
Good understanding of effective administrative
processes, including the use of electronic systems for
supporting and enhancing efficiency and effectiveness
of administration.
A, I
A, I
A, I
Qualifications

Literacy and numeracy Level 2
A
Experience

Previous experience of having worked in a Human
Resources department
Providing support to formal meetings/committees
including preparation of agendas, minutes, briefing
notes, following up on actions, etc.
Analysing data (e.g. promotions outcomes, HR policy
equality impact assessments) and producing
information reports with recommendations
Experience of having used databases to provide
information/reports in order to support organisational
requirements with recommendations for action
Experience of having reviewed processes to ensure
efficient service provision
A, I
Ability to work collaboratively with others to ensure
required objectives are met
Able to work effectively as part of a team,
demonstrating flexibility in supporting achievement of
the wider department’s objectives
A, I
Proficient in the use of MS Outlook, Excel and Word
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to
prioritise effectively
Ability to manage small scale projects
A, I, E
A, I
Ability to undertake research on specific topics as
directed, advising on recommendations for action
Ability use initiative whilst recognising when to seek
guidance from others
Tactful and sensitive; able to understand the
perspective of others
Able to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive
information appropriately
A, I, E




Managing people


Technical/work
based skills



Other requirements




28 July 2017
A, I
A, I, E
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I





Desirable







Excellent communication skills; able to share
information in a clear and concise manner
Ability to assimilate new information quickly, and to
recognise key issues relevant to required tasks
A, I
Studying towards an HR qualification
Hay trained in job evaluation
Previous experience of having worked with trade
unions
A
A
A
A, I
Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade
dependent upon experience and previous salary.
This post is for 30 hours a week and is permanent.
Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’
service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary
days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and
discretionary days, are pro-rated for part time employees.
Grades
Basic entitlement per year
Grades
After 5 years’ service
1-3
23 days
1-3
28 days
4-7
25 days
4-7
30 days
8-9
27 days
8-9
30 days
More information about the department can be found here
Academic departments (schools and colleges)
Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy
The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information
about them on our website.
Date: 24 November 2016
28 July 2017