Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

This role can be based at any of our three sites: Burnfoot, Co. Donegal; Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; or Campsie, Northern Ireland. Regular travel between sites will be required.

Vertiv is a global leader in designing, manufacturing, and servicing critical digital infrastructure technologies. Our Ireland operations span three manufacturing facilities in the North West of Ireland - Burnfoot, Letterkenny, and Campsie (Northern Ireland) - delivering world-class products and solutions to customers worldwide.

We are seeking an experienced Employee Relations (ER) Specialist to provide expert guidance and hands-on support across our three Ireland manufacturing facilities. This role is pivotal in ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant employee relations practices across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland jurisdictions. The successful candidate will partner closely with the HR team and plant leadership to manage complex ER cases, mitigate risk, and foster a positive workplace culture.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for all employee relations matters across the Burnfoot, Letterkenny, and Campsie facilities.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and HR Generalists on disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, and dignity at work cases.
• Manage and lead complex ER casework from initiation through to resolution, ensuring procedural fairness and legal compliance.
• Ensure all ER practices comply with both Republic of Ireland employment law (e.g., Workplace Relations Commission, Employment Equality Acts, Unfair Dismissals Acts, Terms of Employment (Information) Acts) and Northern Ireland employment law (e.g., Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order, Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order, Labour Relations Agency codes of practice).
• Draft and review ER-related correspondence, including investigation reports, outcome letters, and appeal documentation.
• Support the development, review, and implementation of HR policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current legislation in both jurisdictions.
• Provide coaching and training to line managers on ER best practices, early intervention, and conflict resolution.
• Manage and support collective employee relations matters, including employee forums and consultation processes.
• Monitor ER trends and metrics, providing regular reporting and recommendations to the Sr. HR Manager.
• Liaise with external legal advisors and regulatory bodies as required.
• Support workplace investigations, ensuring they are conducted thoroughly, impartially, and in a timely manner.
• Contribute to organisational change initiatives, including restructures, redundancies, and TUPE transfers, ensuring legal compliance and effective employee communication.

Essential Criteria

• Degree in Human Resources, Employment Law, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a dedicated employee relations or HR advisory role, with demonstrable ER casework experience.
• Strong working knowledge of both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland employment law and legislation, including but not limited to:
  • Northern Ireland: Employment Rights (NI) Order 1996, Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998, Employment (NI) Order 2003, The Labour Relations Agency Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.
  • Republic of Ireland: Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977-2015, Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, Industrial Relations Acts, Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994-2014, Workplace Relations Commission procedures.
• Proven experience managing complex disciplinary, grievance, and performance management cases to conclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, professional, and legally sound documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgement under pressure.

Desirable Criteria

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations across different legal jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of collective consultation, employee forums, and European Works Council processes.
• Experience with TUPE transfers and organisational restructuring.
• Familiarity with Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and Labour Relations Agency (LRA) processes, including representation at hearings.
• Experience delivering ER-related training and coaching to line managers.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexibility to be based at any of our three manufacturing sites: Burnfoot, Letterkenny, or Campsie.
• Opportunity to work across two legal jurisdictions, broadening your ER expertise.
• A collaborative and supportive HR team environment.
• Career development opportunities within a global organisation.

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