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.
- 9-month Fixed Term Contract**
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