Job Description
📍 Head Office / Hybrid
Positive Futures supports people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury and autism to achieve their dreams and transform their lives. That mission depends on a workforce that feels respected, supported, heard, developed, and treated fairly.
The Employee Relations Specialist exists to create a consistent, high-quality, values-led employee relations service across Northern Ireland and Ireland, enabling managers to address issues early, fairly and confidently, strengthening culture, and protecting the organisation, our people, and the people we support.
This role leads the Employee Relations Team and personally handles complex, sensitive and high-risk matters, including formal cases and representation in tribunals and labour courts.
ER Service Leader
Purpose: Ensure the organisation has a trusted, responsive, high-performing ER service that supports staff and managers and protects Positive Futures.
· Lead the delivery of consistent, timely and high-quality ER advice and casework across NI and Ireland.
· Build strong relationships with line managers and Directors, supporting confident, effective people management.
· Act as the escalation point for complex, high-risk and sensitive cases, maintaining appropriate oversight of all open cases.
· Maintain high professional standards across all ER activity, including confidentiality, data protection, and fair process.
About The Role
Values-led Casework and Resolution Specialist - Resolve issues informally and early where possible, use fair and evidence-based processes when formal action is required, and promote dignity, inclusion and wellbeing throughout.
· Provide expert guidance on case management and decision-making across the full ER remit, including:
o Absence management
o Performance management
o Disciplinary, grievance, dignity at work
o Change management including restructure, redundancy, redeployment, consultation
o TUPE transfers into and out of the organisation
o ER aspects of safeguarding-related staff processes
o Pensions Administration
· Embed a person-centred, trauma-informed and restorative approach into ER practice, with respectful communication and timely outcomes.
· Coach managers to build capability and accountability, enabling sustained improvement rather than dependency on HR.
· Support investigating officers to deliver high quality investigations, ensuring proportionality, consistency, and clear decision records.
Legal and Regulatory Assurance Lead - Protect Positive Futures by ensuring ER practice is compliant, defensible and aligned to regulatory expectations across both jurisdictions.
· Represent Positive Futures in tribunals and labour courts as required, preparing cases thoroughly and engaging external legal advisors as needed.
· Ensure ER approaches support the expectations of relevant regulators and professional bodies, including RQIA, HIQA and NISCC, and align to good governance and safeguarding principles.
· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law and best practice in both jurisdictions, translating changes into practical guidance and policy updates.
Capability Builder and ER Learning Lead - Reduce repeat issues and escalations by continuously developing manager confidence, competence and consistency.
· Design, shape and deliver ER-focused training, including investigation capability, early resolution, absence management, performance management, difficult conversations, and policy application.
· Provide structured coaching, feedback and learning for managers following ER activity, reinforcing best practice and Positive Futures values.
See Job Profile for more detail
Access NI:
A Basic Access NI Disclosure Check will be required for this position. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from obtaining the position.
Positive Futures adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice, a copy of which can be made available upon request.
Skills Needed
About The Company
Founded in 1995 (initially under the name United Response NI), we now operate across Northern Ireland offering a wide range of services tailored to individuals with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury or autism and the families who support them. Our services include supported living, peripatetic housing support, shared-lives schemes, residential short breaks and family support. We focus on enabling people to live as equal citizens, develop independence and realise their hopes and dreams. With offices and services located in Bangor, Belfast, Enniskillen, Lisburn, Omagh and beyond, we’re committed to making a meaningful difference in local communities.
Company Culture
At Positive Futures, we foster a culture of respect, innovation and empowerment. We believe in putting people first—both those we support and our staff. We create environments where colleagues feel valued, where ideas for improvement are welcomed, and where continuous learning is encouraged. We support staff to grow professionally and personally, and we emphasise collaboration, listening and trust. Working with us means being part of a team that genuinely cares, is proactive in shaping futures and embraces the possibility in every situation.
Desired Criteria
* CIPD Membership (Chartered Member or above)
Required Criteria
* HR Qualification – Level 5 or above, evidenced through an HR degree or equivalent
* Three years’ experience in: · Taking a lead role in Employee Relations in a large (i.e. more than 200 staff) multi-site organisation · Leading a team within an HR department · Using HR Data to inform decision making
* A full, valid driving licence or an ability to travel independently to meet the requirements of the post.
Closing Date Tuesday 24th February, 2026