Employee Relations and Policy Manager in Reading

Check you match the skill requirements for this role, as well as associated experience, then apply with your CV below.

Reading - Hybrid (3 days per week onsite)

6 month contract (Via Umbrella Company)

You must be eligible to work in the UK without the need for Sponsorship.

You must be available to start ASAP.

Our People Team sits at the heart of the organisation, shaping a positive employee experience while enabling sustainable business success. As a true centre of excellence, we design and deliver a people strategy that ensures the business has the skills, capability, and engaged workforce it needs - both now and in the future.

We are looking for an experienced Employee Experience, ER & Policy Manager to join our People Team on a contract basis. This is a unique opportunity for an ER professional who enjoys balancing hands-on delivery with strategic impact - someone who is passionate about creating clear, effective people frameworks that empower managers and support employees.

This role combines end-to-end ER case management, leadership of collective ER activity, and the opportunity to redefine and embed core people policies that reflect the organisation's values, behaviours, and desired employee experience.

The Role

You will play a pivotal role in supporting both individual and collective employee relations activity. From advising on complex ER cases to leading insourcing and organisational change processes, you will act as a trusted expert and partner to managers and stakeholders across the business.

However, this role goes beyond traditional ER delivery. You will actively shape the way the organisation works by modernising policies, improving manager capability, and ensuring people processes are simple, consistent, and aligned with best practice.

What You Will Do

• Manage a wide range of ER cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, sickness absence, performance issues, and flexible working requests, coaching managers throughout the process and building their confidence.
• Lead collective ER processes, including insourcing activities and role or structural changes.
• Redefine HR policies, contracts, and supporting documentation to reflect company behaviours and a consistent, engaging tone of voice.
• Review and update policies to ensure they are legally compliant, user-friendly, and aligned with current best practice.
• Assess and model the impact of policy changes, providing clear recommendations for approval and governance.
• Communicate and embed policy changes effectively, with a strong focus on upskilling line managers.
• Enhance the HR intranet, developing accessible tools, guidance, and self-service resources for managers and employees.
• Establish and maintain a robust policy review and governance process.
• Design and deliver training and e-learning content to strengthen line manager capability in people management.
• Explore and recommend models for ongoing HR and ER advisory support.
• Contribute as an HR generalist to wider people and culture initiatives, supporting the delivery of the overall People Strategy.

What You Will Bring

• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations best practice.
• Proven experience managing both individual and collective ER cases in a complex organisation.
• Experience supporting insourcing and organisational change activity.
• TUPE or M&A Experience.
• A strong track record of developing, implementing, and embedding HR policies and frameworks.
• Confidence in coaching, influencing, and challenging managers to take ownership of people decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex processes and translate them into practical guidance.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with a passion for continuous improvement and employee experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ER professional who wants to make a tangible difference - shaping policy, building capability, and supporting a business through meaningful people change.

Project People is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.