Employee Relations Lead

Do you have strong experience in Employee Relations, possibly in a strong ER or general HR role? Do you have excellent employment law knowledge and experience working with unions on a day-to-day basis? Would you like to work for an organisation that genuinely makes a difference to peoples lives every day? If so, this Employee Relations Lead role could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will work closely with managers and stakeholders across the organisation to ensure a fair, consistent, legally compliant and solutions-focused approach to managing people matters. You will act as the organisation’s subject‑matter expert, providing advice, guidance and support to managers and leaders on a wide range of complex workforce issues.

The role will lead on investigations, disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence management processes, while supporting managers to develop confidence and capability in managing people effectively.

The Employee Relations Lead will also provide day‑to‑day operational support and guidance to the HR Coordinator team, ensuring consistent application of policies, procedures and employment legislation.

• Leading and managing complex employee relations cases from start to finish, ensuring legal compliance, fairness and best practice
• Providing expert advice and guidance to managers on disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance, attendance, probation, conduct and misconduct matters
• Leading investigations, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and preparing investigation reports
• Supporting formal hearings, appeals and case resolutions by advising on risks, outcomes and appropriate approaches
• Ensuring employee relations cases are managed consistently, professionally and within agreed timescales
• Maintaining accurate case records, trackers and management information to support reporting and governance
• Acting as a key advisor on employment law, ACAS guidance and HR best practice, while supporting policy reviews and updates
• Identifying employment law developments and supporting the implementation of required changes
• Building strong relationships with managers, operational leaders and Trade Union representatives, supporting consultation and engagement activity
• Advising on workforce compliance requirements, including right to work checks, immigration matters and sponsorship processes
• Analyzing employee relations data and trends to identify risks, improvements and opportunities to strengthen workforce practices
• Supporting and coaching HR colleagues on employee relations queries, while acting as an escalation point for complex matters

• Previous strong experience in a similar role dealing with all aspects of Employee Relations including investigations, disciplinaries and grievances, possibly in an ER or more general HR role
• Experience of working in a unionised environment
• Excellent employment law knowledge with experience advising senior managers
• Strong knowledge of right to work, sponsorship and visa requirements
• CIPD Level 5 or above
• Strong IT skills including Word, Excel, Outlook and case management systems
• Full current driving licence and personal transport (expenses paid) for visits to other sites in the region

• Salary of £42,000 to £45,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working – 3 days in the office and 2 days from home after an initial bedding‑in period
• Flexitime around core hours
• 26 days plus bank holidays
• Company events
• Employee discount scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Health and wellbeing programme