At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage employee relations cases and develop strategic HR policies.
- Company: Join MBNL, the UK's largest network-sharing joint venture.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Shape employee experience and drive impactful change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of UK employment law and proven ER management experience.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a diverse and innovative workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Reading – Hybrid-working
6-month contract
At MBNL, our mission is clear: Managing the Mobile Infrastructure to Enable Digital Britain. As the UK’s largest network-sharing joint venture, we are at the forefront of industry transformation, delivering innovative solutions that shape the future of connectivity.
Our People team is at the heart of shaping the employee experience and enabling business success. Acting as a centre of excellence, we design and deliver the people strategy that ensures our organisation has the skills, resources, and engaged workforce it needs—today and for the future.
We’re looking for an experienced Employee Experience, ER & Policy Manager to join our People Team on a contract basis. This is a unique opportunity to combine hands-on ER case management with strategic policy development and manager capability building.
You’ll play a key role in supporting both individual ER cases (grievance, disciplinary, sickness absence) and collective ER processes (potential in insourcing). But this role goes beyond case management — you’ll be shaping the way we work by redefining our core policies in line with our desired employee experience, embedding company behaviours, and equipping line managers with the confidence to take ownership of people management activities.
This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in our Central Reading office.
What you’ll do:
- Manage ER cases (grievances, disciplinaries, sickness absence, performance, flexible working), coaching managers through the process and building their capability.
- Lead collective ER processes such as insourcing and role and structure changes.
- Redefine HR policies, contracts, and supporting documents to reflect our company behaviours and a consistent “tone of voice” that brings to life our employee experience.
- Review and update policies to ensure they are simple, user-friendly, legally compliant, and aligned with best practice.
- Assess and model the impact of policy changes, providing recommendations for sign-off.
- Communicate and embed policy changes effectively, with a focus on upskilling managers.
- Enhance our HR intranet with clear, accessible tools, guidance, and self-service resources.
- Establish a robust policy review process aligned with business governance.
- Design and deliver training/e-learning content to strengthen line manager capability.
- Explore and recommend models for ongoing HR/ER advisory support.
- Contribute as an HR generalist to wider people and culture projects, supporting the delivery of our People Strategy.
What you’ll bring:
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice.
- Proven experience managing both individual and collective ER cases.
- Experience with insourcing.
- A track record of developing and implementing HR policies and frameworks.
- Confidence in coaching and influencing managers to take ownership.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex processes.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
MBNL – building strength through inclusion. At MBNL we embrace equality, diversity, and inclusion. People are at the heart of everything we do and collectively we strive to create an environment where everyone can flourish. By fostering an inclusive environment, we are championing each other’s uniqueness. Inclusion & Diversity within MBNL will unlock innovation and continue to evolve how we work, to help us deliver world class infrastructure for our Shareholders and their customers.
We will work creatively to offer flexible working arrangements, (like non-standard hours, part-time, remote working). We want to support you to build your career without sacrificing your personal priorities.
MBNL are proud recipients of the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, and Disability Confident accredited.
Employee Relations Manager in Reading employer: Project People
Contact Detail:
Project People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for an Employee Relations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching MBNL and understanding their mission. Familiarise yourself with their employee experience initiatives and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to ER case management and policy development. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your experience and problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining MBNL and being part of their mission to enhance the employee experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in employee relations and policy management. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at MBNL, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of coaching and influencing, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent communication abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect how you can simplify complex processes for managers.
Highlight Your Proactive Mindset: We love candidates who are solutions-focused and passionate about continuous improvement. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve taken initiative to enhance processes or policies, as this will resonate well with us.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Project People
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on UK employment law and ER best practices before your interview. Being well-versed in these areas will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and the company’s values.
✨Showcase Your Case Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed individual and collective ER cases in the past. Highlight your coaching experience with managers, as this is crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Policy Development Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in developing and implementing HR policies. Think about how you can align these policies with the desired employee experience and company behaviours, as this is a key aspect of the job.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice simplifying complex processes and communicating them effectively. This role requires excellent communication skills, so be prepared to showcase your ability to convey information clearly, especially when discussing policy changes and training content.