THE GROUP AT A GLANCE:

Established in 1981 with a single store in the North West of England, JD Sports Fashion PLC is a leading multichannel retailer of sports fashion and outdoor brands in the UK and Europe.

The Group has over 1200 stores across a number of retail fascias and is proud of the fact that it always provides its customers with the latest products from the very best brands.

The Group embraces the latest online and instore digital technology providing it with a truly multichannel, international platform for future growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

• To provide practical and effective first line employee relations advice across the Group to Line Managers and colleagues within Retail and Gyms establishments along with the wider business. This includes (but is not limited to) providing timely and accurate advice with regards to disciplinary, grievance, absence management and family friendly policies.
• Able to manage queries empathetically and in turn communicate outcomes clearly and articulately with the aim of minimising appeals.
• Act as a team player with the wider People team by sharing knowledge and expertise.
• Support and coach Line Managers to effectively manage and resolve employee relations matters through to appropriate conclusions.
• Provide support to Line Managers and the wider People team during meetings.
• Have an excellent working knowledge of up to date employment legislation, best practice and case law.
• Able to work autonomously and prioritise accordingly (with guidance and support from the HR management team where required).
• Be able to use Occupational Health appropriately within people relations casework and write referrals to OH Advisors.
• Communicate with and support the People management team to ensure employee relations policies and procedures are fairly and proportionately applied, whilst identifying opportunities for improvement to current practices.
• Understand the Groups’ responsibilities to statutory regulations.
• Maintain clear audit trails for all People records in accordance with GDPR regulations.
• Support in ensuring that critical weekly/lunar/monthly and annual cycle People processes are executed within the relevant timescales.
• Assist with project work when required.  
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SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE NEEDED:

• CIPD qualified to a minimum of Level 5.  Level 3 may be considered if the candidate is able to demonstrate substantial relevant HR generalist based work experience, with a desire to gain Level 5 qualification.
• Previous HR/People Advisor related experience is essential, preferably in a retail environment or another fast-paced, constantly changing People environment, with responsibility for managing high volume complex caseloads.
• Excellent knowledge of employment legislation and People Relations policies and procedures.
• Be comfortable offering advice and minute taking in formal meetings to ensure all interactions are documented accurately and conducted appropriately.
• Good communication skills with the ability to guide and influence and the confidence to challenge current practices appropriately where required.
• Able to communicate clearly and articulately with all stakeholders throughout the business.
• Proficient knowledge of Office365 and HR Systems (Previous experience of CoreHR/PeopleXD would be advantageous)
• Accurate typing skills recognising the need for attention to detail.
• Proven experience of working within a constantly changing environment.
• Flexible to work outside of standard office hours if required to support a 24/7 operation.