Employee Relations Lead

Oxford International Education Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford International Education Group in London HQ is seeking an Employee Relations Lead to develop and implement UK-wide ER strategies. You will provide expert guidance to managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance and absence matters, ensuring fair, legally compliant practices and a positive employee experience.

You will lead ER case management, work with HR and legal teams, and stay current with UK employment law while exploring innovative, AI-powered ways to streamline processes and

Qualifications

• Level 5 CIPD qualification required.
• Significant experience managing complex disciplinary and grievances.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment legislation.
• Level 7 CIPD qualification or working towards (Desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead ER case management across the UK with local compliance while supporting global alignment.
• Provide expert HR guidance to managers for UK and ROW.
• Handle complex disciplinary, grievance, and whistleblowing cases.
• Manage ACAS, employment tribunal claims and collaborate with external legal counsel.
• Analyse ER data to drive improvements and report to Senior People Partner.
• Support restructures ensuring clear roles and consistent processes.
• Collaborate with global HR stakeholders, HRBPs and legal teams.
• Explore AI-enabled, self-serve ER tools for managers.

Skills

ER case management

UK employment law

Stakeholder engagement

AI curiosity

Communication skills

Education

Level 5 CIPD Qualified

Level 7 CIPD Qualified or working towards

Job description

Employee Relations Lead

Application Deadline: 30 October 2026

Department: People

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London HQ

Compensation: Competitive

Description

Job Purpose

The Employee Relations Lead is responsible for developing and implementing effective employee relations strategies, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant people management practices across the UK based organisation.

The role provides expert guidance and support to managers on employee relations matters, including disciplinary and grievance cases, performance management, absence management, workplace investigations, organisational change and employment disputes.

The postholder will promote a positive employee experience, strengthen management capability, mitigate employment-related risks and foster a culture of fairness, accountability, inclusion and engagement.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead ER case management across the UK ensuring local compliance while supporting global alignment.
• Collaborate with managers and employees to provide expert HR guidance and support the UK and rest of work (ROW)
• Confident handling of complex employee relation matters in line with UK employment law.
• Manage and triage UK ACAS, employment tribunal claims and legal matters, partnering with external legal counsel as and when required.
• Provide expert guidance and escalation support on complex disciplinary, grievance, and whistleblowing cases.
• Analyse ER case data and trends to deliver actionable recommendations to Senior People Partner and drive continuous improvement.
• Facilitate ER representation during restructures, ensuring clear roles, consistent processes, and employee support.
• Collaborate with global HR stakeholders, HRBPs, and legal teams to align strategies and deliver impact.
• Explore and implement innovative, smart ways of working including the use of AI to optimise time effectively and enabling a self-serve model with managers
• Stay up to date with UK employment law, advising key stakeholders of upcoming changes, making changes to relevant processes and policies.
• Own ER related policies and manager toolkits, ensuring these are up to date in line with UK employment law
• Advising on employment contract matters and employment terms.
• Champion a culture of fairness, integrity, and commercial awareness.
• Supporting wider People Team projects as and when required
• Other duties as and when required by line manager.

Person Specifications

Legal status

• Eligibility to live and work in in the UK.
• Undergo an Enhanced DBS Disclosure

Qualifications

• Level 5 CIPD Qualified
• Significant experience of managing complex disciplinary and grievances
• Sound knowledge of UK employment legislation
• Level 7 CIPD Qualified or working towards. (Desirable)

Experience and knowledge

• Significant experience in an ER related role
• Experience working in HE environment (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and writing with the ability to work with all colleagues
• Able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders providing credible and reliable support
• Excellent time management and ability to work and prioritise multiple tasks and deadlines
• Digitally savvy, and AI curious
• Able to work independently and seek support when necessary
• Able to travel to various UK based locations (Desirable)

Personal qualities

• A can-do attitude
• Collaborative
• Assertive and resilient
• Good presence and able to build strong relationships with people across the business and with all levels of seniority.
• Acts with integrity always.
• Committed to ongoing professional development
• Proactive, uses initiative and solutions-oriented

Disclaimer

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.

Oxford International is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Recruitment checks, including checks with past employees, are undertaken in accordance with our Recruitment and Selection policy.

Oxford International is an equal opportunity employer. Every applicant and employee has the same opportunities regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.