At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee relations cases and coach managers to build positive workplace cultures.
- Company: Join a growing People Team in a dynamic retail and production environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, and the chance to shape a new role.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy, visibility, and a supportive HR team in your role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and culture across multiple sites.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience, strong UK employment law knowledge, and CIPD Level 5 qualified.
Location: Derby
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent – 40hrs per week
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum (depending on experience)
About the Role
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Employee Relations Manager to join a growing People Team in a newly created role. This position offers the opportunity to make a real impact across a multi-site business. You'll be the trusted HR partner for managers across a retail estate and production operation, helping them navigate people matters confidently, fairly and consistently. If you're someone who sees employee relations as more than just policy and process—someone who enjoys coaching, developing others and building positive workplace cultures—we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Employee Relations
- Lead disciplinary, grievance and capability cases from start to finish, ensuring fair, compliant and consistent outcomes.
- Take ownership of the absence management process, supporting managers with welfare discussions, return-to-work meetings and formal absence hearings.
- Provide practical and timely advice on a wide range of employee relations matters, focusing on early intervention and resolution.
- Support the selection, implementation and ongoing development of a new HR system.
- Assist with reviewing and updating HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance and clear communication across the business.
- Manager Coaching & Development
- Act as a trusted advisor to managers, becoming the first person they contact before issues escalate.
- Coach managers through live employee relations situations, building their confidence and capability.
- Facilitate debrief and lessons-learned conversations following case completion to encourage continuous improvement.
- Supporting the People Strategy
- Improving employee retention
- Developing stronger managers
About You
- Proven experience in an Employee Relations or HR role, ideally within a multi-site environment.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Experience independently managing disciplinary, grievance, capability and absence cases.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- CIPD Level 5 qualified (minimum).
- Experience working within retail, hospitality, manufacturing or other operational environments would be advantageous.
Personal Attributes
- A natural coach who enjoys helping others develop confidence and capability.
- Pragmatic, solutions-focused and commercially aware.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage a varied caseload.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently.
- Comfortable spending time across multiple locations and building relationships with managers at all levels.
- Someone who enjoys being visible, approachable and actively involved in the day-to-day operation of the business.
What We Offer
- Salary of £38,000–£40,000
- Company car
- The opportunity to shape a newly created role
- A supportive and forward-thinking HR team
- Genuine opportunity to influence culture, leadership capability and employee experience
- A varied role with significant autonomy and visibility across the business
Employee Relations Manager in Derby employer: Talent-UK Ltd
Join a dynamic and supportive People Team as an Employee Relations Manager in Derby, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape a newly created role and make a significant impact across our multi-site business. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive workplace culture, offering a competitive salary, company car, and genuine opportunities for professional growth and development, all while being part of a forward-thinking HR team dedicated to enhancing employee experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Relations Manager in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, especially those who work in employee relations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to employee relations. Think about how you’d handle specific scenarios and be ready to share your experiences. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your coaching skills during interviews. Talk about how you've helped managers navigate tricky situations in the past. This will highlight your ability to build positive workplace cultures, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Relations Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Employee Relations Manager. Highlight your experience in managing disciplinary and grievance cases, and don’t forget to showcase your coaching skills. We want to see how you can make a real impact!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about employee relations and how your background aligns with our needs. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
Showcase Your Knowledge of Employment Law:Since this role requires a strong understanding of UK employment law, make sure to mention any relevant qualifications or experiences. We’re looking for someone who can navigate these matters confidently, so don’t hold back on your expertise!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent-UK Ltd
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on UK employment law and HR best practices before your interview. Being well-versed in these areas will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to fair and compliant employee relations.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached managers through employee relations situations. Highlighting your ability to build confidence and capability in others will resonate well with the interviewers, especially since this role focuses on manager development.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life employee relations cases. Think about past experiences where you led disciplinary or grievance cases and be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves managing a varied caseload, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and stay organised. Share specific tools or methods you use to keep track of multiple cases, as this will highlight your ability to handle the demands of the position.
