Employee Relations Specialist

Job title: Employee Relations Specialist
Department: Human Resources
Location: Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire
Working Hours: Mon-Fri, 37.5 hours per week (Hybrid)

A brighter future awaits you

CooperVision is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It's more than making contact lenses, it's about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We're all about bright futures – for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.

Job Summary:

As an Employee Relations Specialist, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing Employee Relations activities and Absence Management throughout UK Operations & Commercial business groups, in an extended role within a Shared Service environment. This will involve tracking and managing all cases across the business; providing high level advice and guidance to ensure all ER cases are managed efficiently and consistently. The role will require partnering with other HR colleagues, Managers, Line Managers and Legal Advisors to deliver a legally compliant and consistent best practice approach. This position reports into the Senior Manager, Employee Relations.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

• Act as the first point of contact for line managers on employee relations matters, providing specialist advice and solutions in line with current legislation. This will include but not limited to disciplinary, grievances, investigations, and performance capability.
• Work closely with line managers to ensure they understand and comply with policies, procedures and best practice.
• You will liaise with external solicitors in relation to complex ER cases and with the management of employment tribunal claims, as required.
• Key to success is the development of the capacity of line managers to manage ER problems, developing management styles to foster positive working relationships with employees, minimising the occurrence of line management problems and issues and fostering a positive climate for ER.
• Partner with the business and HR Representatives to manage a positive, best practice employee relations program for UK Operations & Commercial business groups.
• Work collaboratively with the HR Business Partners, HR Managers and HR Directors within UK Operations & Commercial business groups on any projects of initiatives.
• Have oversight of absence management across the Operations & Commercial business to work with line managers to reduce absence levels across the board.
• Continually review existing policies and procedures around employee relations and updated the relevant systems as required.
• Track, analyse and interpret ER metrics to provide insights on trends and opportunities to the business.
• Work flexibly across the region as required supporting colleagues on projects and work activity.

Travel Requirements

The role will be based within UK Operations (multiple sites including Hamble, Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford) & Commercial business groups based at Delta Park, in Fareham, Hampshire. Therefore, local travel to these sites across Hampshire may be necessary. Infrequent travel outside of the UK may also be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Core competencies – individual Contributor level - Project Management, Teamwork, Results, Departmental Impact and Self-Awareness.
• MS Office skills including Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• HR information systems experience (Oracle, HCM would be advantageous).
• An excellent communicator and highly organised with experience of supporting a high volume of ER Cases.
• Able to demonstrate experience in organisational change and restructuring programmes including redundancy and contractual variations.
• Well-developed influencing skills are a must as you will be required to liaise with management at varying levels within our diverse business.
• Pragmatic problem-solving capabilities.
• Knowledge of UK employment legislation.
• Articulate oral and written communicator.
• High standard of attention to detail; ability to manage time and priorities work.
• Able to coach, provide direction and feedback, and convey difficult or challenging information to direct reports and / or management.
• Highly motivated, self-starter, and responsible.
• Ability to build and develop relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and time management skills to handle multiple deadlines.

Work Environment

• Prominently office environment, with a hybrid working arrangement of 2/3 days a week at home. This will increase to 5 days in Spring 2026.
• Able to be flexible on hours to accommodate 24/7 shift patterns.
• Willing to enter a clean room environment, when needed.
• Prolonged use of a PC, laptop, display screens and mobile phone.

Experience and Education

• Detailed ER experience including advising on complex disciplinary and grievance issues with the ability to apply the relevant legal principles and risk assessment.
• Ability to demonstrate confidence to convey difficult or challenging information.
• Degree level education; CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum) or similar professional qualification.

What we offer:

You'll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more

We are committed to our employees' personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we'll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision

What you can expect:

As a CooperVision employee, you'll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success.

If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.

Please view our careers page at  view all other opportunities.

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