Employee Relations Advisor

Job description:

Job title: Employee Relations Advisor

Corporate Title: Vice President

Department: HR

Location: Milan

Company overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit

Department Overview:

The Employee Relations team works closely with the HR Advisory teams across all lines of business to advise and provide proactive guidance and coaching on all people issues with particular focus on how to manage both informal and formal complaint, conduct, performance and absence matters ensuring compliance with local laws.  The ER team also advise both HR and the business on organisational change and potential business restructuring.  The Employee Relations function plays a key role in fostering trust, supporting effective communication and maintaining a culture where people feel valued and respected.

Role Description:

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled European Employee Relations Specialist to join our team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in promoting positive employee relations and ensuring compliance with company policies and relevant employment laws. You will be responsible for managing employee relations matters, supporting investigations, providing guidance to HR Business Partners, the wider HR team and managers, and implementing initiatives to foster a healthy and inclusive work environment. This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills, a good understanding of employment laws and regulations across France, Germany, Italy and Span and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with integrity.

Key objectives critical to success:

• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on employee relations matters to HR colleague and managers.
• Support HR and managers with investigations into employee complaints, grievances, and disciplinary matters, ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws.
• Provide guidance and support to HR Business Partners and managers in addressing performance issues, conflict resolution, and conduct matters.
• Develop and implement employee relations strategies and initiatives to promote a positive work environment and maintain high employee morale.
• Stay up to date with changes in employment laws and regulations, proactively ensuring compliance and recommending necessary policy updates.
• Collaborate with HR Business Partners to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement in employee relations, and develop strategies to address them.
• Help develop and deliver training programs and workshops on employee relations topics, ensuring managers and employees are educated on policies, procedures, and their rights.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive employee relations records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required:

• Strong knowledge of labour laws and regulations in at least one of the following jurisdictions: France, Germany, Italy and Spain with experience of and/or willingness to broaden knowledge across all of them.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with employees at all levels.
• Fluency in English and at least one other language relevant to the region (French, German, Italian or Spanish).
• Experience in employee relations or a similar role, preferably in Financial Services
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities, with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Demonstrated experience conducting investigations and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze data and make data-driven recommendations.
• Proficiency in HR information systems and MS Office Suite.

Nomura Competencies

Explore Insights & Vision

• Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.

Making Strategic Decisions

• Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.

Inspire Entrepreneurship in People

• Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.

Elevate Organizational Capability

• Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.

Inclusion

• Respect DEI, foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).