Senior Employee Relation Consultant - #2169149

Senior Employee Relations Consultant

Birmingham | Hybrid Working |

Complex Employee Relations | Senior Stakeholder Influence

We are recruiting an experienced Senior Employee Relations Consultant to join the specialist Employee Relations function of an established global firm.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished ER professional who enjoys navigating complex employee matters, influencing senior stakeholders and delivering commercially focused solutions.

Working within a dedicated team of three, operating separately from the HR Business Partner function, you will play a highly visible and influential role across the organisation.

Approximately 80% of this time will focus on independently managing complex Employee Relations cases from initial assessment through to resolution, alongside coaching managers, advising senior stakeholders and contributing to wider organisational change and people initiatives.

We are looking for someone who brings more than procedural ER knowledge. You will need the confidence to challenge decisions, assess risk, navigate sensitive situations and guide stakeholders towards practical, legally sound outcomes. The role will include:

Complex Employee Relations & Case Management

• Take full ownership of a varied portfolio of complex and high-risk ER cases, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, ill-health capability, long-term absence, appeals and restructuring matters.
• Independently manage cases from initial assessment and investigation through to formal hearings, recommendations and resolution.
• Navigate sensitive and challenging matters involving potential discrimination, workplace disputes, regulatory considerations and reputational risk.
• Provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice, balancing employment legislation, organisational priorities and individual circumstances.
• Prepare comprehensive case documentation, investigation reports, formal correspondence and recommendations, ensuring a consistent and legally compliant approach.
• Proactively identify and assess potential risks, recommending appropriate interventions and solutions.

Senior Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior managers and business leaders, providing specialist guidance on complex employee matters.
• Build strong, credible relationships across the organisation, establishing confidence through technical expertise and sound commercial judgement.
• Participate in senior stakeholder meetings, confidently presenting recommendations, explaining risks and constructively challenging decisions where appropriate.
• Guide managers through sensitive employee situations, supporting effective decision-making and the resolution of challenging matters.
• Work collaboratively with HR Business Partners, providing specialist ER expertise to support wider business and people priorities.

Coaching, Mentoring & Management Capability

• Coach and guide managers through formal ER processes, helping them develop the confidence and capability to manage people matters effectively.
• Mentor and support junior HR and ER colleagues, sharing technical knowledge, practical guidance and best practice.
• Promote a proactive approach to employee relations, encouraging early intervention and consistent management practices.
• Support the wider HR function with employment law updates, policy interpretation and technical guidance.

Projects, Change & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to organisational change initiatives, including restructures, consultation processes and wider business transformation projects.
• Participate in wider people projects focused on improving employee experience, management capability and organisational effectiveness.

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of three to five years years' substantial Employee Relations experience, ideally gained within a dedicated ER or senior advisory position.
• Proven experience personally managing complex ER cases end-to-end, including investigations, formal hearings, appeals and resolution.
• Strong practical knowledge of UK employment law and the confidence to apply it in sensitive, challenging and high-risk situations.
• Experience advising and influencing senior stakeholders, including the ability to constructively challenge decisions and provide commercially balanced recommendations.
• Experience coaching managers through difficult employee situations and developing their capability to handle ER matters effectively.

Katie Bard is acting as an agency and is an equal opportunties employer.