Employee Relations and Employee Engagement Partner

The Irish Wheelchair Association is one of Ireland's leading representative organisations and service providers for people with physical disabilities. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live a life of choice and equality.

We provide a nationwide assisted living service, community centres in every county, a fleet of accessible buses, a national parking permit and driving school service, wheelchair-accessible social houses, and help young people with disabilities build employability skills and confidence.

We also run a flagship sports programme, which is the national governing body for wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and powerlifting and runs sports clubs for children and adults. Many of Ireland's finest para-athletes started their careers with IWA Sport.

Irish Wheelchair Association was again named one of Ireland’s Best Employers in the Sunday Independent annual list for 2025. This year, IWA was ranked 2nd, improving its position from No. 4 in 2024 and No.7 in 2023. This ranking is testament to IWA’s culture and the value we place on creating and maintaining positive psychological contracts with our people.

Vacancy

We invite applications for this full-time, permanent role based in Clontarf, with occasional travel within Ireland. The job holder, who leads a team of colleagues, reports to the Head of Human Resources.

The role is a significant career development opportunity for the right candidate, and they will be supported as they further develop and bring to the next level their existing HR and ER skills.

The key focus of the role is to ensure a strong staff relations environment exists in IWA, aligned with our values, as well as in keeping with employment law, including codes of practice, as well as best practice around staff engagement.

The role holder will lead IWA’s Employee Relations department and work collaboratively with colleagues, other managers, as well as IWA colleagues who need support from time to time. This role is a key enabler of, and will also support the ongoing development and deployment of IWA's people strategy and our ambition to be an employer of choice in our sector.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The overall aim of this role is to develop and implement effective employee relations practices, policies, and procedures, working closely with the Head of Human Resources. It will also support the continued development of IWA's people strategy in the area of employee relations, collaboration and employee engagement.

Employee Relations: You will act as a trusted advisor to employees and management on HR-related matters, supporting investigations and providing resolution strategies adhering to legal requirements, codes of practice and IWA policy.

You will also act as the lead in the design and delivery of proactive ER measures. You will be familiar with and capable of deploying suitable and appropriate alternative dispute resolution approaches where necessary.

Specifically, you will work with HR and Learning and Development colleagues to build capability around the informal resolution of issues locally. You will be instrumental in raising local skill sets to manage and lead 'difficult conversation' meetings and ensure strong on-the-ground information sharing around IWA employee policies and procedures.

You will have the ability to work collaboratively with staff representatives and, where needed, represent the IWA organisation externally.

Team Leadership: You will be experienced in leading, mentoring and developing a team of capable ER professionals, providing insight, guidance and support.

Policy Development and Implementation: Working with colleagues across the organisation, including other HR Teams, you will play a key role in developing, reviewing, and implementing employment policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and best practices while aligning with IWA's Vision and Strategic Plan.

Supporting the Advancement of IWA's Employee Value Proposition (EVP): By working with colleagues, you will support IWA in advancing its reputation in key areas, including dignity and respect, DEI, well-being, and internal communication, thereby strengthening these aspects.

Compliance: You will continually stay abreast of changes in Irish employment legislation and ensure organisational compliance with statutory requirements, providing guidance, advice and recommendations as necessary.

Person Specification (The things we will ask you about at the interview)

Knowledge Areas

• To be successful in this role, you will need a minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in a busy and dedicated employee relations role, covering the areas indicated above.
• Ideally, we are seeking somebody with a Honours Degree (QQI Level 8) in Human Resources or an analogous discipline. We are prepared to recognise prior learning (RPL) where the person can demonstrate deep experience, knowledge and practice.
• Again, we are ideally looking for a person with CIPD membership or somebody who can readily advise what they do about their continuous development, including how they update their knowledge.
• Strong understanding of Irish employment legislation and its application in the workplace.
• Strong experience in communication, conflict resolution, influencing and persuasion skills, working well with colleagues to achieve consensus and agreement in challenging situations.
• Proven experience in people management, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience with HR Information Systems (HRIS – SAP Success Factors) and proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Personal Requirements

• You will be a team player with excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• You will have strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• You will have the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• It would be fantastic if you had experience working in the not-for-profit sector is desirable.
• A full driver's licence and access to your own car is important.

Remuneration & Benefits

• Annual salary will be ahead of the market for such a role i.e. between €60,000 and €70,000 depending on experience.
• Excellent working conditions, including remote working following positive probation period.
• Training & development opportunities, both on the job, through mentoring and hands-on experience.
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata.
• Access to a Defined Contribution Pension scheme and group VHI & HSF Health Cash Plans.
• Free onsite parking, discounted Gym Membership to onsite Sport Centre, Employee Assistance Service, Bike to Work Scheme, TaxSaver Scheme.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 13th August, 2025 at 5.00pm