At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team managing complex employee relations cases and drive organisational learning.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, a trusted workplace keeping the country connected.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, generous leave, and family-friendly support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture welcoming diverse applicants, including those from the Armed Forces community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a leadership role with autonomy and influence.
- Qualifications: Experienced ER leader with strong judgement and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 € per year.
Competitive salary plus 15% annual bonus potential, £4000 car allowance or £3,500 cash equivalent, 26 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays, and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates.
Location: London or South-East
Travel: Ability to travel to and within the geographical area is required.
Full time, permanent.
At Royal Mail, we keep the country connected. Behind that promise is a strong, fair and trusted workplace. We’re now looking for an Employee Relations Team Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping how we manage complex and sensitive employee relations matters across the business. This is a leadership role offering real influence, autonomy and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
About the role:
- As Employee Relations Team Manager, you’ll lead and strategically guide a high performing team of ER Case Managers, overseeing a broad portfolio of complex, high risk and often precedent setting cases.
- These include conduct and grievance appeals (up to and including dismissal for gross misconduct), whistleblowing and raising concerns investigations, employment tribunal claims, and CEO / Executive Committee level complaints.
- You’ll operate with a high degree of autonomy, acting as a key decision maker on employment tribunal strategy and settlement, while ensuring our approach is legally robust, commercially sound and aligned to Royal Mail values.
- You’ll spot trends, tackle root causes and drive organisational learning - helping us build stronger leadership capability and reduce people risk across the business.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading, motivating and developing a team of circa 13 ER professionals, setting clear expectations and building capability for the future.
- Driving a high-performing culture through coaching and development.
- Providing strategic oversight of complex, sensitive and high risk ER cases, ensuring consistent, high quality decision making and governance.
- Acting as an autonomous decision maker on employment tribunal claims, including instructing external lawyers, attending judicial mediation and agreeing settlements within delegated authority.
- Building trusted relationships with senior leaders, HR Directors, Legal and Compliance teams, and external partners.
- Identifying ER risks, analysing case data and trends, and translating insight into practical improvements and policy recommendations.
- Horizon scanning employment law and best practice, embedding learning into team standards and wider people strategy.
- Ensuring legal compliance while protecting Royal Mail from reputational and financial risk.
What we’re looking for:
- You’ll be an experienced ER leader who is confident operating at senior level and comfortable making high impact decisions in complex, high risk environments.
- You bring significant experience of leading and developing ER or HR teams.
- Previous experience managing employment tribunals and working closely with legal teams.
- Deep expertise in employee relations and employment law.
- The credibility and confidence to influence, challenge and advise senior stakeholders.
- Strong judgement, resilience and discretion when handling highly sensitive matters.
- Experience working within a large, complex organisation (desirable).
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to turn data and insight into clear, strategic action.
- The ability to navigate ambiguity and provide calm, decisive leadership.
Extra Benefits:
- Family friendly support – enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
- Supportive and generous company sick pay.
- Funded Dental – As a manager you are eligible to a level of employer funded dental insurance.
- Health Assessment – As a manager you are eligible to an employer funded health assessment every 2 years.
- Benefits Account – You will have access to your personal benefits account on our My Bundle+ platform.
- Your Wellbeing – you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life.
Royal Mail Group is committed to inclusion and representing the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals. As a proud Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we especially encourage applications from the Armed Forces community, including cadet instructors and spouses/partners. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to support you during the hiring process, please discuss these with your recruiter when contacted.
Closing Date: Tuesday 19th May 2026. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Employee Relations Team Manager employer: Royal Mail Group
At Royal Mail, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous annual leave allowance, car allowance, and a robust pension scheme. Our inclusive work culture fosters professional growth and development, empowering our employees to make impactful decisions in a supportive environment. With a commitment to employee wellbeing and a focus on diversity, we provide a workplace where every individual can thrive and contribute to our mission of keeping the country connected.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Team Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Employee Relations Team Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to employee relations. Think about how you’d handle complex cases or lead a team. We want you to showcase your expertise and confidence, so rehearse your answers until they feel natural.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It shows you’re keen and professional, which can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for job openings and apply directly! We love seeing candidates who are proactive and genuinely interested in joining us at Royal Mail. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Team Manager
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 leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Employee Relations Team Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a potential leader in our team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to motivate and develop others. Share examples of how you’ve successfully led teams in the past and the impact you’ve made. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and drive a high-performing culture!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your thoughts and avoid jargon. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is processed efficiently and allows us to keep track of all candidates. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts and you’ll be set!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail Group
✨Know Your Employee Relations Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and legislation in employee relations. Familiarise yourself with complex cases like conduct appeals and whistleblowing investigations, as these are likely to come up in your interview. Being able to discuss recent case studies or examples will show your depth of knowledge.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Employee Relations Team Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve driven a high-performing culture and how you can bring that experience to Royal Mail.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills in high-risk situations. Practice articulating your thought process and the rationale behind your decisions. This will help you convey your ability to navigate ambiguity and provide calm, decisive leadership.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in building trusted relationships with senior leaders and external partners. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced and advised stakeholders in previous roles. This will demonstrate your credibility and confidence in handling sensitive matters at a senior level.
