Employee Relations Senior Manager 12-month FTC

Senior Manager, Employee Relations (12-Month FTC – Maternity Cover)

Location: Hammersmith, London (Hybrid – 3 days per week in the office)
Salary: Up to £90,000 + 17.5% Bonus
Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Start Date: ASAP / Urgent Requirement

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Manager, Employee Relations to join a leading tech business on a 12-month maternity cover contract. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead the Employee Relations Centre of Excellence and play a pivotal role in shaping a positive, high-performing employee experience across a complex international business.

Reporting into the senior people leadership team, you will be responsible for driving the Employee Relations strategy and roadmap, providing expert guidance on complex workplace matters, and ensuring best-in-class ER practices across multiple European markets.

This role will suit a hands-on ER leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys solving complex people challenges, and is passionate about coaching stakeholders and developing organisational capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the Employee Relations Centre of Excellence, ensuring a consistent and commercially balanced approach to ER matters.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Employee Relations roadmap aligned to business priorities and company values.
• Manage and advise on complex, high-risk employee relations cases across multiple jurisdictions.
• Partner closely with People Business Partners and senior stakeholders to provide expert guidance on ER issues and employment legislation.
• Analyse ER trends and data to identify risks, drive proactive interventions, and enhance the employee and manager experience.
• Coach, educate and mentor People Business Partners to strengthen ER capability across the wider People function.
• Design and deliver training programmes for managers and People teams on employee relations best practice.
• Lead the review, development and implementation of People policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with evolving business needs.
• Drive consistency, governance and best practice across all employee relations processes.
• Act as a trusted advisor on sensitive workplace matters, balancing employee experience with business objectives.

About You

We are looking for a confident and pragmatic Employee Relations specialist with significant experience operating across multiple European markets.

Essential Experience

• Extensive, hands-on Employee Relations experience within an international organisation.
• Strong employee relations expertise across Europe is essential, with specific experience supporting Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland.
• Proven track record of managing complex and sensitive ER casework across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of European employment legislation and employee relations frameworks.
• Experience developing and implementing ER strategies, policies and frameworks.
• Demonstrated success coaching and developing HR and People Business Partner teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use ER data to influence decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at all levels.
• Comfortable operating both strategically and operationally, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves when required.