Job Description - Employee Relations and Policy Advisor
De Montfort University (DMU) is an ambitious, globally minded institution with a clear focus on delivering high-quality teaching and research. A culturally rich university with a strong commitment to the public good, it strives to maintain a stimulating, innovative and inclusive environment where staff and students can thrive. Faculty / Directorate As part of a thriving team, you would join our People Services directorate and help us to deliver a key pillar of our university strategy, ?Empowering People?. Our role is to enhance our employee offer in relation to leadership and management, reward and recognition, voice and experience, health and wellbeing, and to ensure our polices, processes and systems enable digital solutions, swift decision making, equal access and autonomy. People Services has a rich portfolio including people partnering, policy and employee relations, wellbeing, international, pay and reward, operations and support hub, as well as talent, learning and organisational development. Our directorate?s ambition is to provide high quality professional people services, working together to enhance the lives of our current and future employees so that they can deliver an excellent student experience. We strive to provide a great experience for colleagues, so they enjoy being at work and can achieve their potential. Role Are you an experienced HR professional with a passion for employee relations and policy development? De Montfort University (DMU) is seeking an Employee Relations and Policy Advisor to lead the review, implementation of HR policies, ensuring they are compliant, effective, and aligned with DMU?s strategic goals. In this role, you will act as a key link between policy creation and practical application, working closely with senior stakeholders, trade unions, and HR colleagues. You?ll also provide expert advice on a range of employee relations matters, including casework, restructures, job grading, and contractual queries. Key Responsibilities - HR Policy Development: Manage a rolling programme of policy reviews, drafting policies, toolkits, and training materials. - Stakeholder Engagement: Work with senior leaders, trade unions, and HR colleagues to ensure policies are practical, fair, and effectively implemented. - Project Leadership: Lead and support HR projects that drive cultural change, continuous improvement, and organisational development. - Compliance & Best Practice: Stay up to date with employment law and sector trends, ensuring HR policies remain legally compliant and fit for purpose. - Reporting & Communication: Draft reports and recommendations for senior management and support policy rollouts through effective communication strategies. - Employee Relations Advisory: Provide expert guidance on casework, attendance management, job grading, restructures, and contractual queries. Ideal Candidate You have strong experience in HR policy development and employee relations, with a solid understanding of employment law and best practices. You?re confident in drafting policies, consulting with stakeholders, and advising on complex ER cases, with excellent communication skills which command credibility. Experience in higher education or a large, complex organisation would be beneficial. To ensure you meet the essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification (JDPS) before applying. Interviews will take place week commencing Why Join Us? 28/04/25 At DMU, we offer a collaborative and forward-thinking HR environment where your expertise will make a real impact. You?ll benefit from: - A supportive HR team that values innovation and continuous improvement. - Professional development opportunities to enhance your expertise. - A competitive benefits package, including flexible working and well-being initiatives.
