Employee Relations Manager

Ipswich Borough Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipswich Borough Council is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to support the Head of Human Resources and deliver a high quality, future facing HR service in Ipswich. You will line manage HR Advisors, lead complex employee relations cases, and collaborate with managers to implement HR projects and policies.

With CIPD Level 5 and Chartered CIPD membership, you will use data to identify trends, manage unions, and drive continuous improvement across employment law compliance and ER outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified CIPD at Level 5 minimum and Chartered CIPD member.
• Strong experience in employee relations case management.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Human Resources to deliver a high quality service.
• Line manager for HR Advisors and collaborate with other managers on projects.
• Lead and manage others while delivering legally compliant HR practice.

Skills

Strong communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD Level 5

Chartered CIPD

Job description

To be responsible to support the Head of Human Resources (HR) to deliver a high quality, future facing Human Resources service to the Council. You will have line manager responsibility for the HR Advisors with the outcome of delivering a quality focused, legally compliant, professional HR service. In addition, to work in collaboration with other managers within the team to deliver projects.

Qualifications CIPD Qualified to Level 5 as a minimum and a Chartered Member of CIPD and demonstrable experience of employee relations work experience.Application and certificatesRelevant experience Experience of working in a senior HR role with a strong track record of employee relations case management, such as disciplinary, capability, absence, grievance and managing complex cases.Experience of effectively working as part of a team and leading and managing others.Track record of establishing and developing strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels to deliver business objectivesExperience of successful joint working with UnionsExperience of HR project work, including organisational change, TUPE transfers and development, review and implementation of HR policies and guidance in line with employment law and HR best practiceExperience of dealing with protected conversations and communicating with ACAS re early conciliationProvide creative solutions to complex problems whilst maintaining corporate direction.Strong analytical capability and the ability to convert ER and engagement data into targeted interventionsConfident using HR data to produce clear reports and identify trends.Application and interviewSpecialist knowledge In depth and up to date knowledge of employment legislationOverview knowledge of local government terms and conditionsKnowledge of the NJC Job Evaluation schemeApplication and interviewPersonal skills Able to effectively manage conflicting priorities and deliver a complex workload, often to challenging deadlinesStrong judgement around complex ER matters, tribunals, litigation, ACAS and the wider employment-law framework.Strong negotiation and influencing skillsExcellent written and communication skills – ability to adapt communication style according to audienceAbility to identify risks within the service and organisation and make appropriate recommendationsDemonstrate the ability to motivate and lead others effectively, creating a culture of continuous improvement in all areasDemonstrate a customer focused and responsive approach that improves service deliveryAbility to ‘think on your feet’ and be decisive when under pressureDemonstrate resilience and the ability to navigate sensitive or ambiguous situations Application and interviewSpecial working conditions Some out of normal office hours working required.

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Employee Relations Manager

Company: Ipswich Borough Council Salary: £53,051 to £55,224 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Ipswich, IP1 2DE Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote Job type: Permanent Posting date: 12 Nov 2026 Closing date: 29 Nov 2026

Summary

To be responsible to support the Head of Human Resources (HR) to deliver a high quality, future facing Human Resources service to the Council. You will have line manager responsibility for the HR Advisors with the outcome of delivering a quality focused, legally compliant, professional HR service. In addition, to work in collaboration with other managers within the team to deliver projects.

Essential requirements

Qualifications CIPD Qualified to Level 5 as a minimum and a Chartered Member of CIPD and demonstrable experience of employee relations work experience.Application and certificatesRelevant experience Experience of working in a senior HR role with a strong track record of employee relations case management, such as disciplinary, capability, absence, grievance and managing complex cases.Experience of effectively working as part of a team and leading and managing others.Track record of establishing and developing strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels to deliver business objectivesExperience of successful joint working with UnionsExperience of HR project work, including organisational change, TUPE transfers and development, review and implementation of HR policies and guidance in line with employment law and HR best practiceExperience of dealing with protected conversations and communicating with ACAS re early conciliationProvide creative solutions to complex problems whilst maintaining corporate direction.Strong analytical capability and the ability to convert ER and engagement data into targeted interventionsConfident using HR data to produce clear reports and identify trends.Application and interviewSpecialist knowledge In depth and up to date knowledge of employment legislationOverview knowledge of local government terms and conditionsKnowledge of the NJC Job Evaluation schemeApplication and interviewPersonal skills Able to effectively manage conflicting priorities and deliver a complex workload, often to challenging deadlinesStrong judgement around complex ER matters, tribunals, litigation, ACAS and the wider employment-law framework.Strong negotiation and influencing skillsExcellent written and communication skills – ability to adapt communication style according to audienceAbility to identify risks within the service and organisation and make appropriate recommendationsDemonstrate the ability to motivate and lead others effectively, creating a culture of continuous improvement in all areasDemonstrate a customer focused and responsive approach that improves service deliveryAbility to ‘think on your feet’ and be decisive when under pressureDemonstrate resilience and the ability to navigate sensitive or ambiguous situations Application and interviewSpecial working conditions Some out of normal office hours working required.