Role: Head of Employee Experience and HR Advice
Salary: Circa £100,000
Location: Bedford Office Base with Hybrid Working
As the Head of Employee Experience and Advice you will have the opportunity to make a real difference and increase the credibility of our in-house HR service. You will work closely with our Executive Director of People and Culture and the Corporate Director for HR Operations, to refine and develop the HR offer, implement new plans, and make positive change across this area of HR delivery to enable the business to deliver its corporate plan.
To join us as Head of Employee Experience and Advice, you will be a natural leader at both strategic and operational level. This is not a career move for the faint hearted; you will need the resilience, experience, and interpersonal skills to partner with ExCo directors and lead the team.
This is an exciting role which brings together all the elements of employee experience from estates, facilities, health and safety through learning and development, talent, engagement, diversity, and inclusion. Leading a team of three employee experience partners and two HR managers with a wider team of 11, you will be crucial to implementing a new way of working to create an environment which empowers line managers to manage their people supported by tools and guidance.
Your key responsibilities will include:
HR Advice and Guidance:
Providing expert HR advice and guidance to ExCo members will be a cornerstone of your role. You will lead your team to develop and implement HR policies and procedures, staying up to date with HR best practices and legal requirements to ensure our HR operations are effective and compliant.
Employee Engagement:
You will be at the forefront of developing and implementing strategies to boost employee engagement and satisfaction. This includes conducting regular surveys and feedback sessions to understand employee sentiment and identify areas for improvement.
Diversity and Inclusion:
As a champion of diversity and inclusion, you will promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. This involves developing and implementing policies and programs that support our diversity and inclusion strategy and goals. You will also provide training and resources to employees on these important topics, ensuring everyone feels valued and included. This includes working with colleague networks to implement initiatives and resources to support our diversity and inclusion strategy and goals.
Talent Management:
Your role will include overseeing talent and retention strategies to attract and retain top talent. You will develop and implement succession planning and career development programs, collaborating with department heads to identify and develop high-potential employees. This ensures we have a strong pipeline of talent ready to step into key roles.
Learning and Development:
Designing and implementing comprehensive learning and development programs will be a key part of your responsibilities. You will ensure employees have access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities, and you will evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, making improvements as needed to keep our people skilled and empower our line managers to manage our people effectively.
Wellbeing:
You will develop and promote initiatives that support the physical, mental, and emotional health of our employees. This includes working with the employee networks and line managers to implement programs and resources to help employees manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Monitoring and assessing the impact of these wellbeing programs will be crucial to ensure they are effective and beneficial.
Estates and Facilities Management:
Overseeing the management of our estates and facilities to ensure a safe and productive work environment will be part of your role. You will coordinate with the facilities management team to address maintenance and operational needs, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Health and Safety:
Developing and enforcing health and safety policies and procedures will be essential. You will oversee regular health and safety audits and risk assessments, providing training and resources to colleagues on best practices to maintain a safe workplace.
Employee Relations:
Managing employee relations issues, including conflict resolution and disciplinary actions, will be a key responsibility. Under your leadership, your team will provide guidance and support to line managers on employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations to maintain a harmonious workplace.