Employee Relations and People Operations Manager

About The Role

Are you a specialist in the field of Employee Relations and HR Operations and a thought leader? Are you ready to be part of something special? As our Employee Relations and HR Operations Manager, you will play a key role in running the ER and HR Ops teams. While continuing to set up the functions, you will ensure the strategy is aligned with CP's 3 year vision as a pivotal member of the wider People Team. This role will work closely with the HRBP and our Centre of Excellence teams to drive an efficient specialist service across CP.

You will have a strong background in managing and leading employee relations issues, advising on HR policies and procedures, driving consistency, as well as providing coaching and guidance to the employee relations & HR Operations team on cases aligned to our CP culture and values. You will also have a background in continuous improvement and HR system functionality. This role is being offered as a Maternity Cover FTC, likely to run until May 2027.

The remit of the role will be broad, with responsibilities including:

• Leading the ER team to provide advice and guidance on cases to address and resolve workplace conflicts, grievances, performance issues and sickness.
• Ensuring consistency across the Employee Relations Advisors by conducting case reviews and having broader team discussions about approach to ER.
• Leading on complex disciplinary cases and supporting/leading on settlement conversations, working with Senior HRBPs to reach a solution that works for all parties.
• Continuing to establish the ER specialism, ensuring the team structure is fit for purpose and scalable to support CP's growth ambitions, and working with the Senior HRBP team to ensure the model is working efficiently and key principles are being followed.
• Working on best practise tracking mechanisms for ER data reporting including the exploration of a case management system to support the organisations scale and growth plans.
• Updating monthly board pack with ER data identifying any trends that need to be explored and/or addressed.
• Continuing to review ER related policies and templates to ensure they are in line with legislation and striving to be best in class.
• Owning the relationship with our external legal support and ensuring the service is fit for purpose.
• Monitoring changes in employment law legislation, ensuring we are compliant and that the wider team are updated.
• Advising and supporting on ER related projects such as TUPE, redundancy, and acquisitions.
• Working with the ER Advisor to design and deliver training programmes to educate managers on effective employee relations practises, conflict resolution techniques and HR compliance.
• Leading a team of Employee Relations Advisors and People Coordinators to deliver the ER & HR Operations Strategy, identifying inefficiencies and leveraging technology where relevant.
• Owning the HRM side of our people system as a super user, ensuring the system set up and functionality is fit for purpose, advising on usage, processes and best practise to the broader business.
• Ensuring our people processes and BAU continue to be fit for purpose through organic and acquisitive growth.
• Ensuring our BAU systems have accurate DPIAs in place, and any recommendations are being implemented to ensure compliance from a data protection perspective.
• Owning data management and accuracy by ensuring People First is the source of truth.
• Supporting and partaking in broader business wide projects that impact our people team processes.

About You

At Cooper Parry, we're in it together. All we ask of our people is that they play all in. You'll continuously strive to keep learning – whether you're a trainee or a Partner – and you'll be brave, stepping out of your comfort zone to tackle new challenges. Above all, be nice. A simple notion, but an irreplaceable part of what makes CP, CP.

We're looking for someone who is solutions minded, with a positive mindset and an ability to build effective relationships. You'll be resilient, able to deal with change and work at pace to manage multiple cases and initiatives simultaneously. We're seeking someone who can look towards the future and develop a team who are focused on continuous improvement across both ER and HR Operations.

You’ll also have:

• Employment law experience.
• Experience of leading a team, and managing case work across a team.
• Strong data experience, analysing data to look for trends and patterns.
• Experience working within a Centre of Excellence HR Team structure.
• Experience of creating and delivering Line Manager training in the field of ER.
• CIPD qualification and experience within professional services or accountancy would be a massive plus (though not essential), along with experience of working with MHR/People First and a background in business partnering.

About Us

We've been dubbed 'the rebels of accountancy'. We're straight-talking. Never afraid to share our opinions. We put people and relationships before products and services, and deliver a streamlined, client-focused service – free from unnecessary red tape.

Check Out Our Recent Achievements:

• Partnership with Lee Equity – spearheading us ahead for growth.
• Best Companies' No.1 Accountancy Firm & No.30 Best Large Company to Work For in the UK.
• Became B Corp Certified in 2023 and we're still the UK's largest accountancy B Corp, measuring and improving our impact beyond business for a brighter tomorrow.
• Achieved 5 awards at the Inspiring Workplace Awards in 2025: winner in the Large Business category and best in class for inspiring People & Culture, Wellbeing, Inclusion and Employee Experience.

What's in it for you?

Our people are the beating heart of our culture. We know that if you love working here, and you're given the trust and autonomy to work in a way that best suits you, you'll produce amazing results.

That's Why We Offer Things Like:

• A flexible approach to work - balancing working from home, in office or with clients.
• A generous holiday entitlement.
• An enhanced parental leave policy.
• An enhanced pension scheme.
• No dress code – just "wear something!"
• A multi-award-winning wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health.
• Volunteering opportunities to work closer with local communities and charities.
• Cooper Parry social/sports clubs.

Feeling supported and welcomed is such a big part of bringing your whole self to work. As an equal opportunities employer, we'll work with you to ensure you have everything you need to develop your skills and achieve your best.

Get in touch if you have any questions about our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion or about accessibility/accommodations during your application process.