Southampton
Job Summary
Can you lead and inspire a team while ensuring fair, supportive employee relations practices across the organisation?
Do you enjoy collaborating with HR partners to drive performance management and create a safe, empowering workplace culture?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) implements the government’s maritime safety policy in the United Kingdom and works to prevent the loss of life and occurrence of pollution on the coast and at sea.
Safer lives. Safer Ships. Cleaner Seas.
Our vision is to be a world-leading organisation, accelerating the transition to sustainable shipping with non-negotiable safety standards. We put our people, our customers and our planet at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams.
We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at MCA.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks groups covering, Women’s, LGBTQI+, Race, Carers, Mental Wellbeing and volunteer Respect Ambassadors.
Job Description
The role holder is responsible for managing an effective and efficient service on employee relation related matters for both staff and volunteers.
Your Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
* Manage the Employee Relations team to provide quality advice, guidance and support on employee relation related matters, including via digital solutions, ensuring adherence to MCA and Civil Service policies and procedures.
* Work in collaboration with the HR Business Partnering team to ensure effective use of the MCA’s performance management process, driving high performance and ensuring poor performance is addressed appropriately.
* Subject matter expert for attendance management, performance and probation policies and procedures, delivering education and proactive interventions to ensure informal resolution where appropriate.
* Provide support and guidance in relation to the Coastguard Rescue Service and managing volunteers, acting as an escalation point.
* Support the Designated Safeguarding Officers to implement the Agency’s safeguarding policy, providing training and referring any concerns to authorities as appropriate.
* Manage the MCA’s ‘Speak Up’ process, creating a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable and empowered to raise concerns and ensure appropriate action is taking to resolve issues.
* Act as a Counter Signatory for Disclosure Scotland and Disclosure Barring Service to ensure appropriate levels of criminal record checks are in place for staff and volunteers.
* Work in partnership with Learning & Development colleagues to up skill managers on people processes including delivery of training interventions such as Managers Toolkit sessions, MCA Induction, delivery of bespoke management training.
For further information, please see the role profile attached.
The role holder is responsible for managing an effective and efficient service on employee relation related matters for both staff and volunteers.
Your Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
* Manage the Employee Relations team to provide quality advice, guidance and support on employee relation related matters, including via digital solutions, ensuring adherence to MCA and Civil Service policies and procedures.
* Work in collaboration with the HR Business Partnering team to ensure effective use of the MCA’s performance management process, driving high performance and ensuring poor performance is addressed appropriately.
* Subject matter expert for attendance management, performance and probation policies and procedures, delivering education and proactive interventions to ensure informal resolution where appropriate.
* Provide support and guidance in relation to the Coastguard Rescue Service and managing volunteers, acting as an escalation point.
* Support the Designated Safeguarding Officers to implement the Agency’s safeguarding policy, providing training and referring any concerns to authorities as appropriate.
* Manage the MCA’s ‘Speak Up’ process, creating a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable and empowered to raise concerns and ensure appropriate action is taking to resolve issues.
* Act as a Counter Signatory for Disclosure Scotland and Disclosure Barring Service to ensure appropriate levels of criminal record checks are in place for staff and volunteers.
* Work in partnership with Learning & Development colleagues to up skill managers on people processes including delivery of training interventions such as Managers Toolkit sessions, MCA Induction, delivery of bespoke management training.
For further information, please see the role profile attached.
Person specification
To be successful as the HR Employee Relations Manager, you will have:
* Demonstrable experience of working in an Employee Relations based role with up to date knowledge of employment law.
* Experience of effectively managing a multifaceted team.
* Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including senior managers and external service providers.
Additional Information
Potential for some travel to other MCA sites, and to other DfT sites, may include overnight stays.
This role will be based in our Southampton HQ.MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.
The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.
Whilst we can accommodate part time via a job share, the role is 37 hours.
Please take note that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are currently unable to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Managing a Quality Service
* Making Effective Decisions
* Delivering at Pace
* Communicating and Influencing
* Working Together
Alongside your salary of £34,233, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £9,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Click here to get a copy of the MCA Staff Benefits Brochure
Find out what it's like to work at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
As part of your application, you will be required to complete a CV and a (750 word) Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Within your CV and personal statement please demonstrate your knowledge and experience of:
* Demonstrable experience of working in an Employee Relations based role with up to date knowledge of employment law.
* Experience of effectively managing a multifaceted team.
* Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including senior managers and external service providers.
It is essential when submitting your personal statement that you provide as much detail as possible, and utilise the full word count given, against the essential criteria outlined above as this will be used in conjunction with your CV to assess candidate suitability to move to the next round in the recruitment process.
Sift and Interview Dates:
The sift is due to take place from the 16th June 2025.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held on the 26th of June and 02nd July 2025.
This interview will be conducted face to face at our Southampton office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
* An interview.
* A presentation.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
* Name : Becca Currie
* Email : Becca.currie@mcga.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here #J-18808-Ljbffr