ER And HR Operations Lead

Michael Page; Woking; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment consultancy is seeking an experienced ER & HR Operations Lead to oversee complex employee relations. This hands-on role includes managing high-volume cases, developing HR policies, and leading a small team. The ideal candidate will have a CIPD Level 5 qualification and strong employee relations experience, particularly with trade unions, offering a salary up to £55,000 plus a car allowance and additional benefits.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Dental cover

Health cash plan

Bonus eligibility of up to 13%

Qualifications

• Experience with complex employee relations cases, particularly with trade unions.
• Proven ability to nurture and develop HR teams.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-volume employee relations cases and support managers in handling them.
• Develop HR policies and ensure compliance with employment law.
• Provide training sessions on best practices for employee relations.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

People management

Coaching and mentoring

Policy creation

Strong communication

Education

CIPD Level 5 or equivalent

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced ER & HR Operations Lead to take ownership of complex employee relations, coach and support managers, and develop a small HR team. This is a hands-on role where you'll manage high-volume ER cases, contribute to policy and process improvements, and help drive cultural change. The position is based near Chobham (4 days on-site) with regular travel across multiple UK sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and guidance on employee relations (ER) issues, ensuring alignment with company policies and employment law
• Lead and manage complex disciplinary, grievance, and performance management cases fairly and effectively
• Support managers with PIPs, absence management, flexible working requests, and performance-related issues
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, building strong relationships across the organisation
• Coach, mentor, and develop a small HR team of 2 (early-career and mid-level staff)
• Own, review, and update HR policies, processes, and manager guidance documents for compliance and practicality
• Act as the primary contact for union representatives, fostering positive working relationships and supporting industrial relations activities, including quarterly consultation meetings (e.g., JCC)
• Maintain accurate records of ER cases and prepare reports for senior management, including Employment Tribunal preparation
• Develop and deliver training sessions on ER best practices, employment law, and HR policies
• Ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation and keep policies up to date with legal and regulatory changes
• Support the implementation of company-wide HR initiatives and policies
• Foster a culture of integrity, adaptability, and collaboration within the team

Profile / Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5+ (Level 7 preferred) or equivalent experience
• Strong hands-on experience in employee relations, preferably with some trade union exposure
• Proven people management skills, able to coach, develop, and support direct reports
• Comfortable navigating challenging conversations with employees, managers, and unions
• Highly adaptable, resilient, and team-oriented with strong integrity
• Willing to travel regularly across multiple sites
• Confident in policy creation, process improvement, and building manager capability

Job Offer

• A salary of up to £55,000 + £5K car allowance
• Private medical insurance, dental cover, and a health cash plan
• Bonus eligibility of up to 13% of your annual salary