Head of Employee Relations

Head of Employee Relations

Our FS client is seeking a Head of Employee Relations to build and oversee a global Employee Relations (ER) and Policy function. This role will manage complex employment matters, drive consistent policy frameworks, and ensure strong legal and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. It requires deep expertise in ER strategy, investigations, employment law, and influencing executive stakeholders during periods of organisational change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global ER strategy, including frameworks, policies, standards, and risk management.
• Oversee complex and high-risk cases (e.g., misconduct, regulatory issues, senior exits, whistleblowing) with discretion and commercial awareness.
• Deliver a comprehensive review and redesign of global employment policies, documentation, and processes.
• Establish scalable case-management systems, investigation standards, and basic ER reporting.
• Partner closely with Legal, Compliance, Risk, HR, and senior leadership on governance, people risk, and regulatory expectations.
• Develop and lead a global ER team, ensuring consistent capability, workload management, and cross-regional coordination.
• Provide senior advisory input on culture, conduct, and people-risk matters, including support for Board and Committee reporting.

Key Outcomes

• A centralised ER function with consistent, compliant global practices.
• Modernised employment policies and documentation.
• Effective management of sensitive senior-level employment matters.
• Reduced employment risk and improved employee experience during transformation.

Profile Requirements

• 15+ years’ experience in Employee Relations within financial services or a similarly regulated environment.
• Expertise in complex investigations, senior-level case management, and multi-jurisdictional employment law.
• Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and partner with legal counsel across regions.
• Experience leading ER teams and delivering major policy and process frameworks.
• Strong judgement, discretion, and strategic thinking.

Location

London, England, United Kingdom

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Human Resources