Employee Relations Manager

National Energy System Operator Limited; Warwick; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15%

28 days annual leave

Pension with 12% company contribution

Flexible holidays

Birthday off

Cycle to Work

Private Medical Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Personal Accident Insurance

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to lead a fair, compliant ER service and partner with managers to resolve workplace issues. This 6-month fixed-term role offers hybrid working from Warwick or Wokingham, with options for full- or part-time arrangements.

You will shape ER strategy, mentor the ER team, and guide managers through performance management, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.

Qualifications

• Degree or relevant experience in Human Resources, Employment Law, or a related field (CIPD qualification or equivalent is required).
• Proven experience in employee relations including extensive experience managing complex ER cases.
• Experience in developing and implementing ER strategies and frameworks in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid understanding of UK employment laws and regulations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with employees, managers, and trade union representatives.
• Proven ability to manage and influence negotiations, particularly in high-pressure, sensitive scenarios.
• Ability to balance immediate case management needs with long-term ER strategy development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Analytical thinker who can swiftly identify root causes of issues and propose effective, compliant solutions.
• Strong coaching and mentoring abilities with a collaborative approach to leadership.

Responsibilities

• Shaping an overarching ER strategy aligned with business goals.
• Overseeing employee relations activities, policies and procedures for compliance and effective case management.
• Reviewing and implementing People policies to ensure legal compliance and best practice.
• Addressing employee concerns, conducting investigations and facilitating dispute resolution.
• Leading and mentoring the ER team responsible for day-to-day ER cases.
• Providing guidance to ensure timely and effective case resolutions.
• Maintaining thorough documentation of ER cases and reporting trends to senior leadership.
• Coaching managers on performance management, disciplinary procedures and corrective actions.
• Training managers and staff on conflict resolution and company policies.
• Staying updated on HR trends and labour laws to ensure compliance.
• Building trust with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

ER experience

ER strategy development

UK employment law

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Case management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Coaching/mentoring

Education

HR degree / CIPD qualification

Job description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The Employee Relations Manager will lead and deliver a fair, consistent, and legally compliant employee relations service, partnering with managers and employees to resolve workplace issues, strengthen people practices, and foster a positive, high-performing culture. You will pay a pivotal role inensuring effective case managementand shaping thelong-termER strategy and fosteringpositive workplace relations.

This is a 6 month fixed term contract.

This role can be based in Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.

Key Accountabilities

• Working with the Senior People Leadership team in shaping anoverarchingER strategy that aligns with the business goals and promotes a positive employee experience.

• Overseeing all employee relations activities,policiesand procedures to ensure compliance and effectivemanagementof workplaceissues.

• Supporting the review, creation and implementation of People policies and procedures to ensure they are compliant with employment law, arereflective of industry best practiceand promote a positive organisational culture.

• Addressing employee concerns and grievances,conductinginvestigationsandfacilitatingdispute resolutions.

• Leading and mentoring the ERTeamwhoareresponsible forthe day-to-day ER case management activities.

• Providing guidance and oversight to the ERTeamto ensuretimelyand effective resolution of cases, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and other employee issues.

• Ensuringaccurateand thorough documentation of all ER cases, providing insights and trends to senior leadership based on case data and outcomes.

• Providing guidance and coaching to managers on performance management,correctiveactionsand disciplinary procedures.

• Training managers and employees on conflict resolution, communication skills, and company policies to enhance workplace relations.

• Staying updated on HR trends and regulations to ensure company practicesremaincurrent and compliant with relevant labour laws.

• Building andmaintaininga high levelof trust and credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has/is:

• Degreeor relevant experienceinHumanResources, Employment Law, or a related field (CIPD qualification or equivalent isrequired).

• Proven experience in employeerelationsincludingextensive experience managing complex ER cases.

• Experience in developing and implementing ER strategies and frameworks in a fast-paced environment.

• Solid understanding of UK employment laws and regulations.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust with employees, managers, and trade union representatives.

• Proven ability to manage and influence negotiations, particularly inhigh-pressure, sensitive scenarios.

• Ability to balance immediate case management needs with long-term ER strategy development.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting complex information clearly and persuasively.

• Analytical thinker who can swiftlyidentifyroot causes of issues and propose effective, compliant solutions.

• Strong coaching and mentoring abilities with a collaborative approach to leadership.

What You’ll Get

A competitive salary of £65,000 - £70,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary,you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.

NESO’s flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here’s just a few available:

• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
• Additional Birthday Day Off
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance
  

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain’s energy future. We already operate the world’s fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.

In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users.

Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.

The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

More Information

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment

We’re committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you’re not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.