ER Manager

Distinct | B Corp; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Distinct | B Corp is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to lead a small ER team within a fast-paced organisation. You will act as a trusted adviser to operational leaders, handling complex ER matters from intake to resolution while balancing legal, commercial and reputational risk.

You will influence policy changes, support managers and drive proactive improvements in processes and capability across the business. This hybrid role offers strategic impact and leadership development.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Employee Relations teams.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice.
• Experience handling high-risk ER cases including Employment Tribunals and ACAS matters.
• Proven ability to coach, influence and challenge managers at all levels.
• Commercial mindset balancing legal risk with business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Employee Relations Specialists.
• Manage complex ER caseloads including disciplinaries, grievances, performance management and absence management.
• Advise managers on employment law, policy and best practice to manage risk.
• Lead external cases including ACAS conciliation and Employment Tribunals.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to shape ER policy and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify trends and develop training to improve manager capability and processes.
• Keep policies up to date with legislation and business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching managers

Stakeholder management

Employment law (UK)

Data analysis

Job description

Hybrid working with two days in the office each week

Employee Relations is at its best when it goes beyond managing cases and starts shaping capability, influencing leaders and driving better business outcomes.

If you are an experienced Employee Relations professional who enjoys leading teams, coaching managers, influencing senior stakeholders and driving continuous improvement, this could be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

We are supporting a large, fast-paced organisation as they continue to invest in their People function with the appointment of an Employee Relations Manager. Within this role, you will lead a small team, providing expert guidance across a designated business area while helping to shape the future direction of employee relations across the organisation.

The opportunity

This is far more than a traditional case management role.

Alongside leading a team of Employee Relations professionals, you will act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders, supporting complex employee relations matters through to conclusion while balancing legal, commercial and reputational risk.

You will work closely with your manager to influence policy, respond to changes in employment legislation and drive a proactive approach to employee relations. There will also be a strong focus on identifying trends, improving processes and developing manager capability across the business.

Key responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of Employee Relations Specialists.
• Managing a complex employee relations caseload including disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, absence management and appeals.
• Advising managers on employment law, company policy and best practice, ensuring legal, commercial and reputational risks are effectively managed.
• Leading complex external cases including ACAS conciliation, Employment Tribunals, HMRC disputes and other employment related claims.
• Partnering with the department lead and legal counsel to deliver successful case outcomes.
• Coaching and influencing managers to build confidence and capability in handling people matters.
• Analysing employee relations trends and data to identify training needs and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Working with Learning and Development and People Partners to develop and deliver employee relations training.
• Keeping up to date with changes in employment legislation and supporting the development of future policy and practice.

About you

We are looking for someone who enjoys operating as a true business partner while leading and developing others.

You will ideally bring:

• Previous experience as an Employee Relations Manager, Employee Relations Partner or Senior Employee Relations professional with leadership responsibility.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Experience managing complex and high risk employee relations cases, including Employment Tribunals and ACAS matters.
• A proven ability to coach, influence and challenge managers at all levels.
• Experience leading, mentoring or developing Employee Relations teams.
• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance legal risk with practical business solutions.
• Experience working within fast paced operational environments such as logistics, retail, manufacturing or similar sectors.
• Excellent communication, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach with a passion for continuous improvement and developing more effective ways of working.

Why apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing and evolving People function where you will have genuine influence over both operational delivery and future Employee Relations strategy.

You'll play a key role in developing your team, partnering with senior stakeholders and helping shape how employee relations is delivered across the organisation. If you enjoy combining technical expertise with leadership, coaching and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.