Employee Relations Manager

Job Title: Employee Relations Manager - change and transformation programmes - FTC

Department: HR - Employee Relations & Engagement COE

Language: English

Location: Leeds / London

Reports To: Senior Manager, Employee Relations

Contract Duration: 3rd March 2025 - 3rd September 2025Day Rate: £141.63 - £297.52 (umbrella only)

JOB PURPOSE

Working with Snr Manager, ER and the wider HR team and business, this role is to lead and manage change initiatives across Client. This includes driving and supporting transformation programmes as they arise, managing redundancy consultations, TUPE transfers, and other organisational changes in line with Client's strategic direction and in compliance with relevant regional legislation and Client values. The role requires a strategic thinker with a strong track record in employee relations, excellent communication skills, and the ability to engage with and challenge both HR colleagues and senior leaders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Change Management

• Manage the design and execution of change and transformation programmes, ensuring clear communication, risk management, and alignment with our strategic goals.
• Provide expert guidance and support in redundancy consultations, TUPE transfers, restructures, and other organisational change processes, ensuring legal compliance while maintaining practical and commercial approach.
• Develop and implement change management strategies that minimise disruption and support colleagues through transitions, with a focus on retention, morale, and performance.
• Act as a subject matter expert on employee relations, advising senior leadership, line managers, and HR colleagues on effective communication, colleague engagement, and best practice considerations.
• Represent ER during any collective consultation processes, including maintaining the relationship with colleague representatives.
• Ensure that colleague concerns and feedback are addressed during a period of change, fostering a fair and transparent process.
• Build leader capability in managing any change programmes by development and delivery of training for managers and HR teams on managing change, employee relations, and handling sensitive conversations. Collaborate with other COEs as necessary.
• Advise on and manage employee relations cases which may arise from change programmes.

Transformation

• Use proactive advice and constructive challenge to help execute our Client Forward strategy
• Take a proactive approach to employee relations by identifying trends, adopting a lessons learnt approach and recommending solutions. Partner with HRBPs and leadership on execution.
• Proactively identify areas for process and practice simplification
• Continuously review and improve our policies, processes and practices to drive performance, support efficiencies and manage risks
• Provide insights and expertise that support efforts across the HR function to make targeted interventions, changes and enhancements
• Ensure that transformation happens in the right way, in line with our values and in a legally compliant manner

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Proven experience in managing change and transformation programmes
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and employee relations best practices. Experience of global employee relations application would be an additional advantage.
• Experience in managing consultations with colleague representatives. Experience of working with unions would be an additional advantage.
• Experience with building training packs, manager guides and communication templates
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• A track record of successfully leading and supporting managers through periods of significant organisational change
• Ability to think strategically and analytically, balancing legal requirements, business needs, and colleague experience
• Experience in project management, with the ability to lead multiple change initiatives simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Embodies professionalism, trust and integrity