Strategic Employee Relations Director

Middlemore; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlemore, retained by a powerhouse financial services organisation, seeks an Employee Relations Director to shape ER strategy across brands and partner with the Chief People Officer. This is a high-visibility, non-traditional ER leadership role focused on commercial impact and bench-building.

You will lead international restructures, senior leader exits, and transformation programs, while establishing clear boundaries between HR/ER and Legal, coaching HRBPs, and delivering a modern ER

Qualifications

• Proven ER leadership within a FCA-regulated financial services organisation (or comparable highly regulated environment).
• Demonstrable success building and developing ER teams, moving them toward proactive, commercial advisory.
• Deep expertise in complex, high-risk ER casework—including international restructures, senior exits, and workforce transformation.
• Experience implementing ER technology or case management systems.
• Strong partnership skills with HRBPs, C-suite stakeholders, and Legal/Compliance functions.

Responsibilities

• Capability Building: Develop and coach an ER Advisory team to operate with greater commercial acumen, confidence, and proactive problem-solving.
• Commercial ER Leadership: Embed a pragmatic, business-focused approach to ER advice that balances mediation with formal intervention when necessary.
• Case Management System Implementation: Lead the selection, design, and rollout of a new ER case management platform, ensuring the broader ER framework is modern, effective, and robust.
• Complex Casework: Personally lead on the most sensitive, high-risk ER matters—including international restructures, senior leader exits, and workforce transformation.
• HRBP Partnership: Act as a true ER confidant to HR Business Partners, providing expert guidance, coaching, and escalation support on complex people issues.
• Legal Interface: Work alongside a strong in-house Legal function, ensuring clear demarcation between HR/ER and Legal responsibilities while maintaining defensible, compliant outcomes.
• Policy & Framework Modernisation: Review and enhance ER policies, procedures, and governance to ensure they support a PE-backed, commercially driven organisation.

Skills

ER leadership

team building

commercial acumen

HRBP partnership

case management systems

complex casework

legal interface

Tools

ER case management system

Job description

Middlemore, retained by a powerhouse financial services organisation, seeks an Employee Relations Director to shape ER strategy across brands and partner with the Chief People Officer. This is a high-visibility, non-traditional ER leadership role focused on commercial impact and bench-building.

You will lead international restructures, senior leader exits, and transformation programs, while establishing clear boundaries between HR/ER and Legal, coaching HRBPs, and delivering a modern ER