At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing Employee Relations team and manage complex client work.
- Company: Join a progressive HR consultancy that values people and fosters growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and career development support.
- Other info: Hybrid working with occasional travel; based in South East England.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in employee relations while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Employee Relations and strong knowledge of UK employment law required.
The predicted salary is between 67000 - 67000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working, with occasional travel for client and team meetings. Candidates must be based in the South East of England.
Job Type: Full-time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Salary: Starting from £67,000 FTE per annum. We offer a competitive salary package aligned with current market rates for this role. The final offer will reflect your skills, experience and qualifications, alongside our commitment to internal equity.
About us: We’re a full-service HR consultancy that partners with clients to help their people and businesses thrive. Sometimes we act as their in-house HR team, sometimes as an extension of their existing people team — but always as a trusted partner that genuinely cares. We believe people are the foundation of every business’s success. Our job is to help clients create workplaces where everyone can do their best work.
The opportunity: We're looking for a Head of Employee Relations (South East) to join our growing Employee Relations leadership team. Working alongside our Head of Employee Relations (South West), you'll lead our Employee Relations service across the South East region, helping to ensure our clients receive exceptional advice, support and outcomes. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role. You'll lead and develop a talented team of ER specialists, build trusted relationships with clients, and personally support some of the most complex and high-risk employee relations work we deliver. You'll also play a key role in the ongoing development of Fitzgerald's wider Employee Relations service, helping us strengthen capability, maintain quality and support continued growth.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading a high-performing ER team
- Leading and developing a team of Senior ER Specialists and ER Specialists.
- Creating clarity, focus and accountability across the team.
- Supporting colleagues to develop their technical expertise and confidence.
- Managing workload, capacity and delivery quality.
- Building a positive, high-performing culture where people feel supported, challenged and valued.
- Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders.
- Leading and overseeing complex employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes, appeal hearings, restructuring, redundancy and TUPE projects.
- Supporting clients through high-risk and sensitive people challenges.
- Reviewing and quality‑assuring advice and documentation.
- Drafting and reviewing employment contracts, policies and procedures.
- Delivering agreed billable income and performance targets.
- Ensuring work is appropriately scoped, priced and delivered.
- Managing risk and maintaining high professional standards.
- Supporting client retention, account development and new opportunities.
- Working closely with colleagues across People Partnering and Talent & People Solutions to deliver joined‑up client support.
About you: You're an experienced Employee Relations leader who combines technical expertise with sound judgement, commercial awareness and a genuinely people‑centred approach. You’ll bring:
- Significant experience leading complex Employee Relations work.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law.
- Experience supporting disciplinary, grievance, investigation, restructuring, redundancy and TUPE processes.
- Experience leading and developing people.
- Confidence building relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial awareness and experience managing competing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
You’ll also be:
- A clear, credible and engaging communicator
- Calm under pressure and comfortable with ambiguity
- Highly organised, detail‑focused and able to juggle multiple priorities
- Collaborative, values‑led and invested in developing others
CIPD Level 7 or equivalent employment law qualification (or qualified by experience at that level) is essential. Experience in consultancy or professional services is highly desirable. You must be based in the South East of England. You’ll also need a UK driving licence and be happy to travel as required for the role.
The perks:
- Competitive salary (starting from £67,000 per annum FTE)
- 25 days’ annual leave to start, rising to 27 after one year and 29 after two years, plus bank holidays
- Career qualifications supported and paid for, with real opportunities to grow
- Monthly homeworking allowance and all equipment provided
- Flexible working patterns for a healthy work‑life balance
- Pension scheme options (including salary sacrifice) and 4% employer pension contributions, with a minimum of 4% employee contributions
- Life assurance at four times basic salary
- Shopping discounts platform, flu vaccinations, and technology and cycle‑to‑work schemes
- Medicash health cash plan and wellbeing benefits (including EAP)
- Enhanced family leave
- A growing, progressive business with people at its heart
We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
Head of Employee Relations (South East) in Royal Tunbridge Wells employer: Fitzgerald
At our full-service HR consultancy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and well-being of our employees. With a competitive salary starting from £67,000 and a comprehensive benefits package including flexible working patterns, generous annual leave, and career development support, we foster a positive work culture where every team member is empowered to thrive. Join us in the South East and be part of a progressive business that genuinely cares about its people and their professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Employee Relations (South East) in Royal Tunbridge Wells
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Fitzgerald!
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✨Showcase Your HR Passion
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Employee Relations (South East) in Royal Tunbridge Wells
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Fitzgerald. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Fitzgerald and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Fitzgerald. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Fitzgerald's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fitzgerald
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Fitzgerald.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Fitzgerald will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Fitzgerald and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
