Strategic Employee Relations & Policy Lead

Forticrete; Ibstock; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Life assurance

Pension with employer contributions (8

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Forticrete is seeking an experienced Employee Relations & Policy Manager to lead the delivery of our employee relations service across the UK. You will provide commercially focused, legally compliant advice to enable managers to make confident people decisions while supporting a positive colleague experience.

This role combines complex case management, policy leadership, coaching, and data-led improvement, developing a high-quality ER function and reducing organisational risk.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing complex employee relations within multi-site organisations.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience building and supporting union relationships and collective negotiations.
• Proven ability to advise and influence senior managers on employment issues.
• Experience with Employment Tribunal preparation and legal proceedings.
• Excellent investigative, analytical, and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on complex, sensitive and high-risk employee relations matters across a multi-site organisation.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with recognised trade unions and employee representatives.
• Lead and support consultation and negotiation on collective matters, organisational change and the application of collective agreements.
• Support Employment Tribunal preparation, working with external legal advisers and other specialist partners where required.
• Coach and challenge managers so they can handle employee relations issues confidently, fairly and consistently.
• Design and deliver practical training, toolkits and guidance that build management capability and self-sufficiency.
• Lead the development, review and implementation of employee relations policies, ensuring they reflect legislation, best practice and business needs.
• Analyse case data and trends, translating insight into clear recommendations for senior leaders and targeted organisational interventions.
• Build strong relationships across operations and the People function, influencing stakeholders on employee relations strategy and risk.
• Improve and simplify employee relations processes, systems and ways of working.
• Lead, support and develop the Employee Relations Specialist.

Skills

UK employment law

Trade unions

Consultation & negotiation

People leadership

Policy development

Data analysis

Education

CIPD Level 7

Tools

HR systems

People analytics

Job description

Forticrete is seeking an experienced Employee Relations & Policy Manager to lead the delivery of our employee relations service across the UK. You will provide commercially focused, legally compliant advice to enable managers to make confident people decisions while supporting a positive colleague experience.

This role combines complex case management, policy leadership, coaching, and data-led improvement, developing a high-quality ER function and reducing organisational risk.