Employee Relations Manager in Leeds

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance.

Employee Relations is a Centre of Expertise within People & Culture. We provide advice, guidance and support on complex people matters and change management. We are the subject matter experts in employment law, application of policies and procedures and managing all aspects of the employment relationship. The team has a national remit, so this means travel to Grant Thornton offices is required. We’re happy to talk flexible working and consider reduced hours.

As an Employee Relations Manager within the Employee Relations team, you will:

• Provide advice, guidance and support to Business Leaders, Service Line people managers and the wider People & Culture teams on wide-ranging employee relations matters and change management.
• Manage employee relations processes including investigations, disciplinary, grievance and appeals, bringing technical skills as well as proactive management and project co‑ordination to conclude the process efficiently and effectively.
• Own and manage day‑to‑day employee relations casework, including long-term sickness absence and ill‑health capability cases and income protection claims.
• Advise on and provide a range of solutions on conflict resolution, including workplace mediation.
• Management of change projects and firmwide change programmes such as restructures, redundancies, process reviews, TUPE acquisitions and disposals, business transfers and consultation programmes, including changes to terms and conditions.
• Use digital automation and AI to continually improve our processes, which saves time and realises efficiencies, without compromising the quality and integrity of our documentation or the people experience.
• Create and deliver upskilling to people managers, Business Leaders, Service Line teams and the wider People & Culture team.
• Partner with the business to deliver commercial, risk‑aware resolutions on complex cases, including negotiated exits.
• Draft legal correspondence and response documents, working closely with solicitors and employment lawyers, preparing for and attending employment tribunals, engaging and negotiating with Acas where required.

Joining us as an experienced Employee Relations Manager the minimum criteria you’ll need is following:

• Human Resources professional qualification, ideally Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) with a strong track record of delivering high quality outputs at a managerial level, within a fast-paced business environment.
• Subject matter expert in managing complex formal employee relations processes while working to tight deadlines.
• Technical expertise and experience in change management, with strong problem solving skills and the ability to apply sound risk management, commerciality and professional judgement to complex situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships quickly, influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders, and navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
• Ability to work independently with a strong attention to detail, ability to self‑review own work and others.
• Confident using AI, and able to build digital solutions and skills that improve ways of working and deliver efficiencies.

Embracing uniqueness, the culture at Grant Thornton thrives on the contributions of all our people. Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. Our open and accessible culture means you’ll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm.

Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we’ll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.

The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you’ll be giving back to society. It’s that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm’s values – purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations.