Crew Relations Manager, Europe

The Vanguard Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment company seeks a strategic Employee Relations Manager to shape and drive ER strategy across Europe. This role involves managing a team, providing expert guidance on ER matters, and developing inclusive policies that enhance organizational culture. Successful candidates will have extensive ER experience and a deep understanding of employment law, particularly in the UK. A hybrid work model is implemented to foster collaboration and flexibility.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• Extensive ER experience in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to lead and coach at all levels.
• Expertise in UK and ROI employment law.

Responsibilities

• Shape ER strategy aligned with business goals.
• Lead a team and manage ER casework.
• Develop inclusive people policies.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Negotiation

Conflict Resolution

Stakeholder Management

Education

Deep understanding of UK and ROI employment law

Background in employment law or legal training

Job description

Strategic and experienced Employee Relations (ER) Manager to lead our newly established ER function. Shape and drive our ER strategy across Europe, manage a team of two ER specialists, and lead key initiatives that influence culture, policy, and leadership capability.

We’re entering a dynamic new chapter and are looking for a strategic and experienced Employee Relations (ER) Manager to lead our newly established ER function. This is a high-impact role, reporting to the Head of HR Business Partners & Operations - Europe, where you’ll shape and drive our ER strategy across Europe, manage a team of two ER specialists, and lead key initiatives that influence culture, policy, and leadership capability.

Core responsibilities

• Shape ER Strategy: Design and deliver a progressive ER strategy across Europe, aligned with business and cultural goals.
• Trusted Advisor: Provide expert, solutions-focused guidance to senior leaders on complex ER matters, organisational change, and risk.
• Case & Team Leadership: Lead and oversee ER casework and manage a newly established ER team, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes.
• Policy & Governance: Develop inclusive, future-fit people policies and ensure robust ER governance and legal compliance.
• Capability & Culture Building: Build ER capability across the business, enabling skilled people leadership and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.
• Insight-Driven Decision Making: Leverage ER data and trends to inform strategy, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Partner with HRBPs, Legal, Risk, Security, Compliance, and the Global ER team to shape the European ER agenda and support business transformation.

What we are looking for

• Extensive ER experience with strong leadership skills, ideally within a matrixed and fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to coach and influence people leaders at all levels.
• Deep understanding of UK and ROI employment law, with broader European ER experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to build trusted advisor relationships across the business.

Preferred experience

• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Background in employment law or legal training.
• Track record of setting up or scaling an ER function.

Key partners and stakeholders

• Head of HR Business Partners & Operations
• Assistant General Counsel, Employment Law
• Head of HR, Europe & Americas
• HR Business Partners
• Risk, Security & Compliance
• Global Employee Relations

Special Factors

• Hybrid work model
• Vanguard is not offering sponsorship for this position.

Why Vanguard?

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company. It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients.

This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments.

It's what we stand for: value to investors.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.