ER Expert

Burberry; Harrogate; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion company in Harrogate seeks an Employee Relations Manager to lead complex case management and provide expert advice on employment law. The role involves stakeholder engagement, managing change programmes, and developing strategies for employee relations. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in employee relations management, exceptional communication skills, and a deep understanding of UK employment law. This position offers a competitive salary and is partially on-site, requiring attendance three days a week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in employee relations management across various sectors.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the resolution of complex employee relations cases.
• Provide expert risk assessment and advice on employment law.
• Manage change programmes related to employee relations.

Skills

Employee relations management

UK employment law knowledge

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical and problem-solving

Job description

3 days per week in office) Salary: Competitive Purpose The Employee Relations Manager

Key Responsibilities: Complex Case Management & Escalations

• Lead the resolution of complex and high-risk employee relations cases (disciplinary, performance, conduct, and Burberry Confidential).
• Provide expert risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and advice on employment law implications in collaboration with internal legal teams.
• Ensure cases are managed in line with legal frameworks, Burberry policies, and commercial needs.
• Take a lead role in high-profile investigations, delivering comprehensive reports and business recommendations to senior stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and HR Business Partners on sensitive ER matters.
• Influence decision-making by delivering pragmatic, legally sound, and commercially focused advice.
• Build strong partnerships with Employee Services, Managers Advisory Service, HRBPs, and Centres of Expertise.

Change Programme Delivery

• Manage the design and delivery of ER-related change programmes, including restructures, consultations, and legislative updates.
• Provide ER leadership on business transformation projects and organisational redesigns.
• Support leaders through change with clear communication strategies, robust ER frameworks, and proactive risk management.
• Analyse ER trends, identify systemic issues, and develop preventative strategies with HRBPs and COEs.
• Contribute to policy development and lead initiatives to build line manager capability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in employee relations management, ideally across multiple sectors (manufacturing, corporate, and retail).
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice; knowledge of wider EMEIA jurisdictions is advantageous.
• Demonstrated success in managing and resolving complex, high-profile cases.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead complex investigations with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Experience supporting or leading large-scale organisational change or transformation programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to balance legal, commercial, and operational considerations.
• Resilient and confident in challenging and guiding leaders through complex risk scenarios.