People Business Partner and Employee Relations lead
CR3 – up to £50,000
12 Month secondment
Hybrid working – Manchester or Coventry 2 days a week in office
Want to change the world? Choose a career that makes a difference
At The Co-operative Bank we’re proud to be different. We’re proud of our values and ethics, and our unique, customer-led Ethical Policy that shapes everything we do.
Born out of the co-operative movement over 150 years ago, you could say that doing the right thing has always been our thing. We don’t just help people with their money, but help people fight for justice and the causes they care about.
We put people at the heart of every decision we make and there’s never been a more important time for our Bank to stand up for the causes that matter most to our customers, colleagues and partner organisations.
Join us and help us continue to make progress in environmental and societal change, all with the UK’s original ethical bank.
The role:
You will be responsible for partnering with one or more Executives and their leadership teams to provide high quality, commercially focussed People strategy support ensuring delivery of business plans within the Bank’s defined policies, values and risk appetite. You’ll also oversee employee relations activity across the Bank, including providing escalation support to People Business Partners on matters relating to disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence management and analysis. The role will also have oversight of all employment tribunal matters and be the primary liaison with the trade unions for employee relations matters, ensuring productive relations and compliance with collective agreements.
Key Accountabilities:
* Act as the primary point of contact for trade unions on employee relations matters (grievance, disciplinary, Absence etc), fostering constructive relationships and ensuring effective negotiations and communication.
* Support Business Partners lead and navigate the discussions on early conciliation and employment tribunals, being a point of escalation for complex negotiations and tribunal cases.
* Provide escalation advice and coaching to the People Business Partners within the team, ensuring they can achieve effective and efficient resolution of employee relations case activity, mitigating possible people risks for the Bank.
* Ensuring people leaders across the Bank are have the relevant knowledge and support to feel empowered and able to manage employee relations activity within the organisations leader self-service model.
* Provide expert input and oversight on organisation design and cultural development, working with other centres of excellence to ensure the business is able to quickly adapt to the changing environment.
* Work with the Exec & their leadership teams to undertake effective senior level and critical role recruitment, selection and on boarding ensuring that hiring decisions align with future business strategy
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
* CIPD qualification desirable
* Strong HR generalist background with up-to-date knowledge of employment law, ideally within financial services and within a unionised environment
* Personal and professional credibility required to coach and influence senior managers, predominantly Executive, Directors and Head of roles
* Has a proven ability to build trusting relationships with key stakeholders quickly and to influence at all levels – may be required to operate at ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ levels than typical audience.
* Commercially-focussed approach, based on thorough understanding of the business and the external market place.
* Applies solid judgment ensuring integrity, compliance and confidentiality at all times.
* Solution-focussed and commercially aware – able to make independent decisions, managing conflicting priorities in a fast paced environment
* Approachable, respected and responsive – able to connect with colleagues at all levels, with a strong internal customer service focus.
* Demonstrable track record of developing and coaching a team to realise their potential.
* Flexibility and mobility will be required to provide support to the business as demand dictates
* Experienced in handling difficult conversations, navigating complexities and disagreements whilst maintaining neutral
* Maintain knowledge of and adherence to all relevant regulatory guidelines and legislative guidelines.
* Expert Knowledge of employment legislation and ER best practice, with proven experience working in a fast paced environment and management of high caseloads of ER activity.
What You Can Expect From Us:
* Flexible and home working options
* 27 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days
- Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
- Income protection / life assurance
* Commitment from employers on continued learning & development
* Wellbeing support ‘Help@Hand’ offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP’s for both you and your family.
- 2 paid days for volunteering per year
- ‘MyReward’ corporate discount for over 800 retailers and Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Family friendly policies and supportive working environment
- Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.
We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.
Our Bank is passionate and committed to continuing to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment where all colleagues can fulfil their potential.
At the beginning of the year, The Co-operative Bank officially became part of the Coventry Building Society Group. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.
If you require more information or this document in a different format, please contact careers@co-operativebank.co.uk
As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.
*Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 11.2 as of 14 January 2025.