Employee Relations Manager

JOB TITLE: Employee Relations Manager

REPORTS TO TITLE : Senior Employee Relations Manager

BUSINESS FUNCTION/ SUB-FUNCTION: Human Resources

SALARY: c50-55k plus discretionary bonus

LOCATION: London - Bow Road

The role:

The Employee Relations (ER) Manager will play a hands-on role in managing day-to-day employee relations cases and leading a team of Campus Officers to ensure timely, consistent, and compliant resolution of workplace issues. They will be responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of ER cases—from initial intake and investigation through to resolution and follow-up. They will deputise for the Senior ER Manager as required.

The ER Manager ensures that all cases, including disciplinary matters, grievances, absence concerns, and performance-related issues, are handled efficiently and in line with employment legislation and internal policies. They will act as the first point of escalation for complex or sensitive cases, providing practical guidance to HR colleagues and line managers to ensure fair outcomes and mitigate risk.

They will be responsible for workload allocation, quality assurance, and ongoing development of team members. They will provide coaching and support to ensure consistent case handling and build confidence across the team in managing challenging conversations and investigations. The ER Manager will collaborate closely with the wider HR team and senior stakeholders to identify recurring issues and recommend practical solutions that improve employee experience and operational efficiency.

What the Role Involves:

- Manage and resolve complex employee relations cases in line with company policies and legal requirements.
- Provide expert advice to managers on employee relations issues, ensuring consistency and fairness.
- Develop and implement HR strategies to improve employee engagement and workplace culture.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ER policies and procedures, recommending improvements where necessary.
- Support the HR team in disciplinary, grievance, and performance management processes.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law and ensure compliance across the organisation.
- Deliver training and guidance to managers on HR-related topics, including handling employee disputes.
- Collaborate with other HR functions to align ER initiatives with broader organisational goals.

About You:

Experience & Knowledge

- Proven experience managing complex ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and absence matters.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application in casework.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment—ideally within education, healthcare, or another regulated sector.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team of ER Officers.

Skills & Competencies

- Excellent case management skills with the ability to handle multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining quality and compliance.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and support managers at all levels.
- High attention to detail in documentation, investigation notes, and outcome letters.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Qualifications

- CIPD Level 5 or above (or equivalent experience).
- Evidence of continuous professional development in employee relations or employment law.

Operational Capabilities

- Comfortable working with case tracking systems and HRIS platforms to monitor progress and ensure timely resolution.
- Ability to prioritise workload effectively in a high-volume environment.
- Experience in producing reports and identifying trends from ER data to inform operational improvements.

Personal Attributes

- Resilient, calm under pressure, and solution-focused.
- Collaborative team leader with a hands-on approach.
- Committed to fairness, consistency, and promoting a positive employee experience.

What we offer:

Time off that fits your lifestyle - 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), 1-day extra leave per year of service (up to 5 days) and Buy/Sell additional holidays (up to 5 days)

Opportunities for growth - Tuition reimbursement for career development courses, wide variety of training courses and support with FHEA application

Pension Scheme and Flexible Benefits (via salary sacrifice) - Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Tech, Health, Dental and Life Assurance schemes, Women's Health scheme (via Hertlity) and much more

Discounts, Perks and Employee Assistance: Perks@Work discounts platform, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), discounted gym membership, eyecare vouchers and much more

Reward for your impact - annual salary increase reviews, annual discretionary bonus, £500 award employee referral scheme

GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.