Crew Relations (Employee Relations) Manager, Europe

Strategic and experienced Employee Relations (ER) Manager to lead our newly established ER function. Shape and drive our ER strategy across Europe, manage a team of two ER specialists, and lead key initiatives that influence culture, policy, and leadership capability. This is a high-impact role, reporting to the Head of HR Business Partners & Operations - Europe.

Core responsibilities

• Shape ER Strategy: Design and deliver a progressive ER strategy across Europe, aligned with business and cultural goals.
• Trusted Advisor: Provide expert, solutions-focused guidance to senior leaders on complex ER matters, organisational change, and risk.
• Case & Team Leadership: Lead and oversee ER casework and manage a newly established ER team, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes.
• Policy & Governance: Develop inclusive, future-fit people policies and ensure robust ER governance and legal compliance.
• Capability & Culture Building: Build ER capability across the business, enabling skilled people leadership and fostering a culture of trust and accountability.
• Insight-Driven Decision Making: Leverage ER data and trends to inform strategy, mitigate risk, and drive continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Partner with HRBPs, Legal, Risk, Security, Compliance, and the Global ER team to shape the European ER agenda and support business transformation.

What we are looking for

• Extensive ER experience with strong leadership skills, ideally within a matrixed and fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to coach and influence people leaders at all levels.
• Deep understanding of UK and ROI employment law, with broader European ER experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to build trusted advisor relationships across the business.

Preferred experience

• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Background in employment law or legal training.
• Track record of setting up or scaling an ER function.

Key partners and stakeholders

• Head of HR Business Partners & Operations
• Assistant General Counsel, Employment Law
• Head of HR, Europe & Americas
• HR Business Partners
• Risk, Security & Compliance
• Global Employee Relations

Special Factors

• Hybrid work model
• Vanguard is not offering sponsorship for this position.

Why Vanguard?

Vanguard is a different kind of investment company. It was founded in the United States in 1975 on a simple but revolutionary idea: that an investment company should manage its funds solely in the interests of its clients. This is a philosophy that has helped millions of people around the world to achieve their goals with low-cost, uncomplicated investments. It’s what we stand for: value to investors.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.