Senior Employee Relations Manager

Senior Employee Relations Manager

Cambridge | Hybrid Working (3 days office / 2 days home once established) | Full Time | 37.5 Hours

Are you an experienced Employee Relations professional looking for an opportunity to influence organisational culture, partner with senior leaders and lead on complex people matters?

Our client is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Manager to join their established HR team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping employee relations strategy, supporting senior stakeholders and leading a team of ER professionals within a large, complex organisation.

Offering a hybrid working model following your initial onboarding period, this role combines strategic HR partnering with hands-on employee relations expertise.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Employee Relations, you'll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing expert guidance across a wide range of complex employee relations matters while helping to drive consistency, compliance and best practice across the organisation.

You'll also deputise for the Head of Employee Relations when required, ensuring the continued delivery of a high-quality ER service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert advice on complex employee relations matters including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence management and organisational change.
• Supporting senior leaders with high-risk and sensitive employment issues, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and internal policies.
• Leading and developing a team of Employee Relations Advisors, providing coaching, guidance and day-to-day management.
• Managing complex investigations, disciplinary processes and formal hearings.
• Preparing and presenting management cases at appeal hearings and supporting employment tribunal proceedings where required.
• Developing trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the business.
• Building strong working relationships with employee representatives and trade unions.
• Drafting, reviewing and implementing HR policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Leading and supporting HR projects, organisational change initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Designing and delivering management training on employee relations and people management topics.
• Producing meaningful HR data, management information and reports to support strategic decision making.
• Promoting a proactive approach to employee relations, reducing organisational risk while supporting a positive employee experience.

About You

We're looking for an experienced HR professional who combines excellent technical knowledge with outstanding stakeholder management skills.

You'll ideally have:

• CIPD qualification (Level 7 or equivalent) or significant relevant HR experience.
• Extensive experience managing complex employee relations cases within a large organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring HR or Employee Relations teams.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring and workforce planning.
• Excellent investigation, report writing and case management skills.
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience working with trade unions and employee representatives.
• The ability to build credibility quickly with senior stakeholders.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with excellent attention to detail.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

• Large, complex or highly regulated organisations.
• Public sector or healthcare environments.
• TUPE and organisational redesign.
• Job evaluation or grading frameworks.
• Coaching and leadership development.
• HR information systems and workforce reporting.

What's on Offer?

Hybrid working – 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home once settled into the role

Opportunity to lead a well-established Employee Relations function

Exposure to senior leadership and strategic HR projects

Ongoing professional development

Excellent benefits package

A collaborative and supportive working environment