Employee Relations Manager

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Police is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to lead the development and delivery of our workforce relations strategy. You will provide expert advice on employee relations and negotiate with Trade Unions, Police Federation and Staff Associations to drive performance, engagement and compliance.

The role focuses on policy development, embedding practices across the Force and managing complex legal cases during organisational change.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to advise on employee relations matters in a complex environment.
• Experience in developing and implementing HR policies and practices.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with Trade Unions and staff associations.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance to managers on employee relations matters, ensuring decisions align with employment legislation, Force policies and procedures.
• Support the management of complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, attendance and other workplace matters.
• Develop, review and implement employee relations policies, procedures and practices to promote consistency, fairness and legal compliance.
• Build effective relationships with senior leaders, managers, Trade Union representatives and other stakeholders, using negotiation and influencing skills to achieve positive outcomes.
• Develop and implement employee relations interventions that strengthen management capability, improve employee engagement and support workforce retention and productivity.

Skills

Negotiation

Employee relations

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Job description

Introduction to the Department

The Employee Relations team supports West Midlands Police in fostering a fair, inclusive and productive working environment. The department provides expert guidance on employee relation matters, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, organisational policies and procedures, while supporting the wellbeing, engagement and retention of the Force's workforce.

Working collaboratively with managers, senior leaders, colleagues and Trade Union representatives, the team helps manage workplace issues, build employee relations capability and develop effective practices that support both organisational objectives and positive employee experiences.

About the Role

The Employee Relations Manager is a pivotal role within the team and is responsible for the development and delivery of a comprehensive approach to Employee Relations across the Force.

The role will require you to provide expert advice to the Force on all employee relations matters and as a key negotiator with our Trade Unions, Police Federation and Staff Associations, you will be critical to ensuring increased business performance, employee engagement and legal compliance. Policy development, implementation and embedding is a key aspect of the role, helping us to build and embed a culture that is aligned with our vision and values. The role will also be responsible for the comprehensive management of legal cases, assisting with complex case work and providing expert advice and guidance regarding Force wide organisational change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance to managers on employee relations matters, ensuring decisions align with employment legislation, Force policies and procedures.
• Support the management of complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, attendance and other workplace matters.
• Develop, review and implement employee relations policies, procedures and practices to promote consistency, fairness and legal compliance.
• Build effective relationships with senior leaders, managers, Trade Union representatives and other stakeholders, using negotiation and influencing skills to achieve positive outcomes.
• Develop and implement employee relations intervention that strengthen management capability, improve employee engagement and support workforce retention and productivity.

Salary and Shifts

Salary: £52,194.00 - £57,186.00

Shifts: Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:00, Hybrid.

Selection Process

1. Online Application and Sift - You will complete an online application form, which will be reviewed against the skills, experience and behaviours required for the role. Closing Date: 29/10/2026, 23:59.
2. Interviews - Candidates who successfully pass the application stage will be invited to attend an interview and/or assessment. This will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role. Interview Date: TBC
3. Pre-Employment Checks - If you are selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to successfully complete relevant pre-employment checks before receiving a formal offer. For internal candidates, some checks may not be required. Checks may include:
   • Vetting Checks - You must successfully complete the required level of Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism Clearance before starting the role. This may include providing information relating to your background and financial history a spart of the vetting process. for more information.
   • Medical Checks - Appointment to this role is subject to successfully completing medical checks. This may include a drugs, test and where required a fitness assessment and hearing test.
   • Reference Checks - You will need to provide details covering at least five years of employment, education or other relevant activity history.

We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and reasonable adjustments are available for those who need them.