Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex employee relations cases and provide expert guidance across the organisation.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Merlin, known for its collaborative culture and exciting attractions.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like complimentary attraction tickets, performance bonuses, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experiences while working in a fun and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in employee relations and strong knowledge of UK employment law required.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values continuous improvement and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Employee Relations (ER) Lead to join our UK Hub (HR Shared Services) team in Basingstoke. In this role, you will be the first point of contact for complex ER matters, providing expert guidance and ensuring consistent and legally compliant employee relations support across the organisation.
Operating within a newly formed centralised HR service model, you will work collaboratively with ER Executives, ER Senior Manager, UK Hub colleagues/teams, People Business Partners, CoE colleagues and Line Managers to manage employee relations casework efficiently and effectively, ensuring a positive employee experience and promoting fair and transparent practices.
As Merlin operates seven days a week, we recognise the need to provide support to our managers during weekends, especially during peak times when our parks are fully open and staffing levels are higher. We expect the Hub to offer essential Employee Relations support through an on-call rota system.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Lead the end-to-end management of a portfolio of complex and high-risk employee relations cases (e.g. disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, performance) using ServiceNow, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
- Ensure outcomes are compliant with Merlin's policies, UK employment legislation, and internal KPIs/SLAs, while balancing risk and business impact.
- Maintain robust case documentation and data integrity within the HRIS/case management system, contributing to accurate reporting and governance.
- Identify emerging ER trends and risks, providing strategic insights and recommendations to HR leadership and stakeholders.
- Partner with senior leaders and HR Business Partners to navigate and resolve complex or sensitive ER matters, ensuring consistent application of policy and best practice.
Advice, Coaching & Support
- Serve as a trusted advisor to people managers at all levels, delivering expert guidance across a broad spectrum of ER matters.
- Build people leader capability through proactive coaching, tailored advice, and facilitation of ER-related training and workshops.
- Lead manager support through formal processes, advising on procedural compliance, documentation standards, and outcome management.
- Develop and implement scalable training resources and toolkits to drive consistent and confident ER practices across the organisation.
Strategic Risk Management & Continuous Improvement
- Collaborate with Legal and external partners to support ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunal case preparation, including documentation and strategy input.
- Participate in internal case reviews and lessons-learned activities, using insights to influence policy evolution, risk mitigation strategies, and process enhancements.
Policy Development & Governance
- Contribute to the review, development and implementation of ER policies, procedures and toolkits that are user-friendly, legally compliant and aligned to Merlin's values.
- Ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment to best practice in the application of all people policies.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements in all ER activities.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in an Employee Relations or Senior Employee Relations role, preferably in a shared service or matrix environment.
- Demonstrable experience managing a high volume of complex ER cases, including ACAS conciliation and tribunal preparation.
- Experience of writing policies, developing training materials and delivering manager upskilling is essential.
- Experience using HR systems and case management tools (e.g. ServiceNow) is desirable.
- CIPD qualification is advantageous (Level 5 desirable).
- Union experience would be advantageous.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law, ACAS procedures and HR best practice.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgement and attention to detail.
- Ability to remain calm and professional at all times.
- Maintain sensitivity and confidentiality of all cases.
- Able to provide commentary and insight from ER data for reporting purposes.
- Ability to contribute to team learning and continuous improvement from case review insights.
Benefits
- Merlin Magic Pass - Enjoy 20 complimentary tickets each year for you, your family, and friends to experience Merlin attractions around the world, rising to 40 after one year of service.
- 'Enjoy the Ride' Merlin Annual Passes - Receive 6 exclusive annual passes (1 for you and 5 to gift to loved ones), giving unlimited fun across our attractions.
- Performance-Based Company Bonus - Celebrate your achievements with potential annual bonuses aligned to performance.
- Private Pension Scheme - Plan for your future with our competitive pension offering.
- LEGO Perks - Receive 40% off LEGO online and 25% off in our on-site retail shops and restaurants.
- Learning & Development - Take your career further with ongoing training, development programmes, and growth opportunities.
And So Much More...
From wellness initiatives to team events, get ready to enjoy the perks of being part of the Merlin magic.
Pay Range: Competitive
Employee Relations Lead in Basingstoke employer: Merlin Entertainments Group
Contact Detail:
Merlin Entertainments Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Lead in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees or connections in the industry. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common ER scenarios. Think about how you'd handle complex cases and be ready to share your thought process. This shows you're not just knowledgeable but also strategic!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise during interviews. Bring examples of past ER cases you've managed and how you navigated challenges. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the Merlin team.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Lead in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in Employee Relations. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practices. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our team, so give us examples of your past experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and brevity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin Entertainments Group
✨Know Your ER Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and ACAS procedures before the interview. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're well-prepared and knowledgeable about the complexities of employee relations.
✨Showcase Your Case Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of complex ER cases you've managed in the past. Highlight your approach to resolution, compliance with policies, and how you maintained documentation. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Be a Team Player
Since this role involves collaboration with various teams, be ready to discuss how you've worked with HR Business Partners or senior leaders in the past. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to team learning and continuous improvement from case reviews.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's ER practices and how they align with their values. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture is the right fit for you.