Employee Relations Lead
Employee Relations Lead - Job DescriptionYour new companyYou'll be joining a well-established, UK-based organisation undergoing significant transformation across its People & Operations function. With c.2,500 employees and a maturing HR operating model, the business is shifting from a historically entrepreneurial culture to a more sophisticated, well-governed environment. The People function is evolving quickly, with a strong focus on collaboration, capability uplift and modernising how ER, Advisory and People Operations work together.Your new roleAs the ER lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's approach to employee relations, moving it from reactive case handling to a proactive, early-intervention model. Sitting within the People & Ops remit, you will lead ER strategy, oversee complex cases and partner closely with the Senior ER Specialist, who focusses on policy, practice and manager capability.You'll support the People Hub with early-stage values and absence matters, while also taking ownership of senior-level ER cases that require expert judgement, calm decision-making and strong stakeholder management. This role sits one level below the SLT and offers significant influence across the wider People function.Key responsibilities
- Lead the organisation's ER agenda, shifting from reactive case management to proactive dispute resolution.
- Provide expert guidance on complex and sensitive ER matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
- Partner with the Senior ER Specialist to strengthen policy, practice and manager capability across the organisation.
- Support the People Hub with early-stage ER issues, including values-based concerns and absence management.
- Build constructive, trust-based relationships between managers and employees in a non-unionised environment.
- Bring structure, clarity and confidence to an emotionally demanding ER landscape, particularly during periods of organisational change.
- Collaborate with HR, L&D and People Operations to improve hand-off points and embed a joined-up approach.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of a maturing HR operating model.
- Deep, specialist ER expertise with the ability to influence organisational thinking and drive cultural change.
- Strong judgement and the ability to operate confidently in ambiguous or sensitive situations.
- Experience managing complex ER cases and supporting early-intervention approaches.
- Ability to build strong relationships and coach managers to handle ER issues effectively.
- A calm, structured and pragmatic approach, with resilience in emotionally charged situations.
- Comfortable working in a non-unionised environment.
- Collaborative mindset and ability to work across People Ops, Advisory, Data and Systems teams.
- upto £95,000 base salary
- Generous bonus and employer pension contribution
- Healthcare
- Hybrid working: 2 days per week in the office
- Opportunity to shape the future of ER within a maturing, well-governed organisation.
- A role with genuine influence, visibility and strategic impact.
Flexible working options available.
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