Employee Relations Manager in Leeds

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a salary from £50,000- £60,000 per annum, depending on experience
• A company car allowance scheme (£6000 per year)
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 15% of annual salary for the 2026/2027 performance year)
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
• A great benefits package - choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Where I'd work: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we're moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you'll be based there in the future. There will be hybrid working in place for this role.

Work type: This is a fixed term role for 12-14 months, working full time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday between a working window of 8:00am-6:00pm. We are ideally looking for the successful candidate to be available to start in role early March, 2026.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Employee Relations Manager to join the People team at Yorkshire Water. You will lead a team of Employee Relations Advisors and act as a trusted partner to the business on complex and high-impact employee relations matters.

What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it's so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.

Where you fit in: As Employee Relations Manager, you will lead a team of Employee Relations Advisors and act as a trusted partner to the business on complex and high-impact employee relations matters. You will shape and implement employee relations strategies that support a positive colleague experience, mitigate risk, and drive business performance and evolved behaviours. This role is pivotal in fostering strong industrial relations with our trade union partners and ensuring our people policies are progressive, inclusive, and aligned with our organisational values. You will share employee relations trend data to ensure the business is informed and best positioned to mitigate any cultural risks, ensuring compliance with legislation, best practice and internal policy.

What skills and qualifications you will need:

• Extensive Partnering expertise: Proven experience as an HR Business Partner, understanding the running of complex operations
• Extensive Employee Relations expertise: Proven experience managing complex employee relations cases
• Strong employment law knowledge: In-depth understanding of UK employment legislation and case law.
• Industrial relations experience: Demonstrated ability to work constructively with trade unions.
• Strategic thinking: Ability to translate Employee Relations insight into business-aligned strategies.
• Stakeholder management: Skilled in influencing and partnering with senior leaders.
• Professional certification: CIPD Level 7 or equivalent qualification (or working towards).
• Driving licence: Full UK driving licence (essential as travel between sites is required).

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea? If you've got extensive experience in business partnering and a sound Employee Relations background and want to help us shape and implement a range of employee relations strategies, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you. If you feel this opportunity is suitable and you match the skills required, then please apply online and complete the application process.

Recruitment Process: Closing Date: 9th February, 2026. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. No agencies please.