Employee Relations Manager

JLL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to join a dynamic ER function. You will provide expert support to HR partners, legal, and management, handling a full caseload of investigations and large-scale ER projects across UK and EMEA, driving best practice and upskilling teams.

You will lead complex casework, including disciplinary and grievance matters, and partner with compliance and reward to implement policy and process improvements, while maintaining neutrality in challenging situations.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in HR, employment law, or related field with solid knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience managing complex ER cases including investigations, ill-health, dismissals, appeals, and report writing.
• Training in investigations, mediation, and some experience with unions/work councils.
• Strong written and verbal communication with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations, navigate conflicts, and maintain neutrality.
• Ability to recommend actions based on policy and maintain relations with remote colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert ER support and advice to HR and business clients on ER matters and casework, reducing reliance on external legal advisors.
• Contribute to Tribunal litigation input and other casework as needed.
• Investigate and respond to workplace complaints, including high-risk ER cases.
• Guide and support change initiatives with transfers, reorganisations, and consultations.
• Collaborate with HR, compliance, and legal to monitor changes and drive ER projects across regions.

Skills

ER expertise

Investigations

Legal liaison

Stakeholder management

Communication

Disciplinary & grievances

Education

HR or Employment Law degree

Tools

AI tools

Job description

What this job involves:

Join our team as an Employee Relations Manager in a large matrixed organisation. In this role, you will be part of a small and dynamic team of expert Employee Relations specialists, working closely with HR partners, legal, compliance, and management, covering the full range of Employee Relations responsibilities.

What this job involves:

Join our team as an Employee Relations Manager in a large matrixed organisation. In this role, you will be part of a small and dynamic team of expert Employee Relations specialists, working closely with HR partners, legal, compliance, and management, covering the full range of Employee Relations responsibilities. You’ll provide expert support and guidance, as well as managing your own investigation caseload and leading large-scale employee relations projects across all business lines, leveraging ER best practice to navigate complex and high-risk cases. With a focus on upskilling and providing best practice guidance, this role presents a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a thriving organisation.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Provide expert support and advice to HR and business clients on ER matters, employment practices and casework including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, ill-health, workplace adjustments, dispute resolution, investigations etc, reducing reliance on third party legal advisors
• Provide support on employment legal issues including input on Tribunal litigation and other casework
• Investigate and respond to workplace complaints including complex, high-risk, sensitive and ER cases
• Work closely with broader HR to expertly guide, support, and implement change initiatives by supporting colleagues and managers with transfers, reorganisations / restructures (including meeting information / consultation requirements), plus undertake broader project work as required
• Identify and support interventions required for the transformation of the wider function in the UK and at times across EMEA including helping establish networks within and across the region
• Partner closely with business-line aligned HR colleagues and compliance and have significant direct interactions with business clients and colleagues in legal (internal / external) and reward including in-country ER, US ER, and global colleagues
• Track and report on ER MI to identify ER trends, propose and implement improvements
• Define, design, and deliver ER solutions on topics including HR policies, procedures, and best practice materials to maintain compliance with country-specific statutes, circumstances, and regulations
• Provide subject matter expertise, conduct research and partner with compliance and legal to proactively monitor and embed relevant statutory and regulatory changes
• Build organisational capability in managing ER matters by educating managers and HR colleagues in ER process, practices, and legislation
• Partner with HR and CoEs to design and facilitate the implementation of talent initiatives including engagement, diversity, and inclusion and EMEA wellbeing initiatives
• Actively participate in projects developing new ER processes and other process improvements.

Required Skills and Experience:

• A degree or qualification in HR, employment legal, industrial / labour relations, or related field and have good knowledge of UK employment law and regulation. Knowledge of ER in other countries within EMEA will be beneficial
• Proven and demonstratable experience managing complex ER cases including investigations, ill-health, dismissals, appeals, and report writing
• Training in investigations, mediation and some experience with unions and works councils
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Problem-solving capabilities and are responsive to employee concerns and conflicting needs
• An ability to handle difficult conversations, navigate complexities and disagreements and maintain neutrality in conflictual situations
• Good judgment and able to articulate sound reasoning for recommendations to persuade stakeholders
• An ability to recommend actions based on policy and practice and maintain relations with remote colleagues

Desired or preferred experience and technical skills:

• Experience of a fast-paced matrixed organisation is helpful
• Proficiency in using AI tools for complex ER projects and case management