The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The role

Reporting to the People Manager (EMEA), the role will be proactive in supporting the implementation of our people strategy and objectives in order to drive and support the business needs.

To be successful in this role you will have a commercial and creative mind-set, proven track record of delivering results, understand the importance of establishing and developing credibility, you will have the confidence to prove your effectiveness and challenge the status quo, and the ability to handle multiple demands and changing priorities.

This role has line management for 3 People advisors, and is responsible for ensuring robust employee relation support across the team.

This role will be offered on a 12 month fixed-term basis.

Key responsibilities

• Develop strong and credible relationships with business leaders and managers, developing a detailed understanding of challenges and opportunities across our client groups
• Protect the interests of employees and the FT in accordance with our people policies, keeping abreast of changing employment legislation and implementing new practices when required ensuring FT is compliant with relevant legislation
• Apply knowledge of local legislation, collective agreements and FT policy to evaluate potential impacts of change
• Oversee employee relations casework, taking the lead on complex cases and ensuring a fair, consistent and commercially viable approach is taken
• Supporting and coaching managers on dealing with employee relations matters, provide challenge as well as commercially-minded and solutions focused coaching and advice, and influencing change in working practices
• Work alongside our People Business Partners and take responsibility for the operational delivery of organisational change programmes
• Analyse employee data and trends, providing recommendations to address the cause and reduce future cases and improving management capability at handling casework
• Seeking out improvements to all aspects of the employee life-cycle, specifically talent retention, performance management, development and exits
• A robust understanding of family friendly policies and practices, right to work legislation, and proven experience of managing long term sickness absence casework
• As FT grows, engage with and support the partnerships that evolve through M&A activity
• Take responsibility for the professional development of your team and collaborative working relationships with your peers
• Active involvement in the design, implementation and promotion of diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Introducing new ideas, tools or methods relevant to the industry and our business
• Proactively build external networks, within and outside of the media sector, to build your professional and market knowledge and to bring insight and ideas back to the FT
• Promote curiosity and collaboration across the global people team and actively support the development of other members of the team.
• Develop strong working knowledge of all business areas across the FT and all geographic locations within EMEA.
• Engage with the AI taskforce and identify ways that the use of AI can improve our employee experience and service delivery in the employee relations space.

Required skills and experience

• Strong influencing skills and ability to lead
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a knowledgeable resource
• Strong knowledge of applicable employment laws and practices
• Complex ER casework experience
• Creativity in finding solutions to complex problems
• Ability to build credible, strong and long lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Collaborative and inclusive approach
• Positive “can-do” attitude - rolling up sleeves to deliver what the business needs
• High degree of confidentiality, sensitivity and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop HR colleagues
• Experience working within a media company
• Experience of working within an international environment.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a 50% hybrid working model (averaging two to three days onsite) that fosters trust and remote adaptability while encouraging in-person camaraderie and peer learning. Additionally, we are open to accommodating specific flexible working pattern requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

Further information

At the FT, we embrace innovation and the use of technology and appreciate that individuals may leverage AI tools as part of their job application process. Whilst we are happy for you to use AI to assist with your application, it is essential that all information provided is authentic and accurately represents your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process may be monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Please beware of fraudulent job postings and offers claiming to be from the Financial Times. All legitimate opportunities will direct you to apply through the official Financial Times careers site, and the FT will never ask for financial information, payments, or referrals to third parties during the hiring process. If you have any concerns about the legitimacy of a job posting or suspect any scam activity, please contact talent@ft.com .

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