Principal, Employee Relations

Purpose of Job

The Principal, ER works with HR business partners and people managers across the organisation, building and maintaining strong relationships, as a trusted advisor coaching and supporting them in dealing with ER issues and ensuring their people are appropriately supported. The role contributes to the achievement of a better dynamic employee engagement across the organisation, promotes a positive employee relations culture to ensure fair employment practices and enforce corporate rules and culture.

Dependent on the nature of the case or project, the Principal ER manages business relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organisation as well as with external stakeholders.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Deliver timely, consistent, and tailored specialist advice and day-to-day support to the business/ stakeholders without significant need for resource, preparation or referral elsewhere on all aspects of ER, health & wellbeing and, as applicable, performance management. Explain options and risk assessments ensuring that the business is aware of potential ways to manage and aim to resolve each situation, along with the associated risks.
• Advise on matters of policy and best practice to ensure thorough application of/adherence to applicable internal regulations with regards to disciplinary, grievance, voluntary severance cases, redundancy situations and performance management. To work with line managers to ensure they drive the process throughout to safeguard that a full, fair, and objective process is followed with necessary documents and communication produced as necessary.
• Identify and resolve potential and existing employee complaints; work with Client Management teams, line managers and employees to resolve disputes and minimise dissatisfaction; offer or facilitate additional training and development.
• Support the People Solutions and Advisory team in relation to the management of long-term sickness cases/medical absences; referrals to occupational health and other specialist medical advisors, and collaboration with the business to interpret advice and agree support, adjustments and action plans as required. As and when relevant, in conjunction with the PS&A team, liaise with Health, Safety and Security with regards to health and wellbeing of employees
• Providing ER input and analysis for the MDHROD in the matters under the internal dispute resolution processes. Produce timely and consistently high quality, written work and sign off documentation and advice from HRBPs, provide feedback, coach, and develop as appropriate.
• Provide stakeholders with timely and accurate information and reports pertaining to the ER activity within their areas of the business, as required.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external providers to support implementation of the ER strategy. Such providers include the Bank’s medical advisors (for occupational health referrals), medical insurance provider (for Working Incapacity Benefit cases) and service providers for outplacement, mediation, and employee assistance.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Qualfications

• Demonstrated track record as an ER practitioner, HR business partner, employment lawyer/lawyer (PQE 5+) with experience of international administrative law with well-rounded HR knowledge and expertise, including managing disciplinary and grievance issues from start to conclusion, managing caseloads, providing advice and guidance to the business and HR and supporting the organisation through change initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience of policy review and development.
• High standard of written documentation, and previous experience of producing professional and robust policy documents, memoranda and notes to be used in formal meetings; excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent knowledge, understanding and substantial practical application of internal dispute resolution processes and relevant procedures (including conduct and disciplinary matters, respectful and harassment-free workplace, administrative reviews and appeals processes).
• Ability to quickly gain understanding of the needs of the business in order to provide commercially robust solutions within internal policies.
• Clear credibility to be able to build, influence and maintain trusted relationships with key stakeholders within complex, multicultural and diverse business environment. Ability to consider each scenario from all perspectives i.e. the needs of the business as a whole versus the needs of the individual and be able to empathise with both sides.
• Strong positive team ethic, excellent relationship building, coaching, and consulting skills, with the ability and confidence and flexibility to liaise with stakeholders at all levels and deal with complex and difficult situations.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, tact and cultural awareness.
• Strong problem solver, with the ability to anticipate issues before they happen, to make decisions quickly and to recommend innovative solutions.
• Well organised with ability to multi-task and proactively manage a variety of different cases to conclusion at any given time.
• Willing to take on additional responsibility and go the extra mile, including helping other areas of HR as required.

What is it like to work at the EBRD=

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people’s lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in.

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does. A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).

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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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