Principal Employee Relations Specialist

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As the internal support organization for DNV and DNV owned companies, we deliver shared services within Human Resources, Finance, IT and Real Estate & Procurement to DNV globally. Our mission is to enable DNV to grow, succeed with its business goals and improve competitiveness. Customer experience is at the core of everything we do. GSS is responsible for many of the tools, processes and daily routines that create the backbone of DNV.

We are looking for a Principal HR Advisor to join the GSS HR Advisory UK & Ireland team. This senior advisory role requires an experienced HR professional who thrives on solving difficult people issues, influencing stakeholders, and driving high‑quality, commercially focused HR solutions across the business. As one of the most experienced members of the Advisory team, you will act as a trusted expert on complex employee relations, organisational change, and employment legislation, partnering with senior leaders and HR colleagues to support critical business decisions.

• Provide expert advice and strategic guidance on complex employee relations matters
• Lead significant organisational change initiatives including restructures, TUPE transfers and harmonisation programmes
• Act as the escalation point for challenging and precedent‑setting cases
• Partner with senior business leaders, BA HR and key stakeholders to enable business performance and effective decision‑making
• Influence and coach leaders through complex people and organisational issues
• Support labour relations matters, employee representative consultations and union‑related activity where required
• Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, governance standards and service delivery
• Lead or contribute to strategic HR projects and transformation initiatives
• Support capability development across the wider HR Advisory team through mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing

• Non‑contractual Profit Share Scheme
• Lifestyle benefits: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays, opportunity for up to 10 days unpaid leave, sabbatical leave, flexible working options
• Well‑being benefits (including private medical, dental insurance, health assessments, gym allowance), company contribution to eye tests and glasses for computer/laptop users, flu vaccinations, and free fruit in our offices
• Financial benefits:
  
  pension scheme with employer pension contributions up to 9%, life assurance and income protection
• Reimbursement of relevant professional membership fees (up to £570)
• Access to employee retail discount site for high street and online shopping

• CIPD qualification (Level 7 or equivalent) or equivalent experience
• Extensive knowledge of current and upcoming UK employment law and employee relations best practice
• Proven track record managing complex ER cases and providing advice on high‑risk business matters
• Sound judgement, resilience and ability to deliver pragmatic solutions in complex situations
• Significant experience leading restructures, redundancy programmes and organisational change projects
• Strong expertise in TUPE, consultation processes and terms & conditions harmonisation
• Confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders at all levels
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance legal risk, business needs and employee experience
• Experience operating within a shared services or matrix environment would be advantageous

This is an opportunity to become a recognised expert within a global organisation where your expertise will directly influence business decisions and employee outcomes. You’ll work alongside a highly experienced shared services HR team, contribute to strategic people initiatives, and help shape the continued evolution of GSS HR Advisory within DNV.

• Exposure to complex and business‑critical people matters
• Opportunities to influence…