Title: Employee Relations Manager
Department: People Team
Contract: Full Time | Permanent
Reporting to: Head of People & Culture
Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum DOE
About the Role
As Employee Relations Manager, you will take ownership for ensuring overall Employee Relations best practice, advice, training, policy and compliance across the business.
You will manage a team of Advisers to ensure they are providing effective, efficient, responsive and commercial Employee Relations advice and support, with a huge focus on customer service and continuous improvement. You will ensure Managers are provided with advice and resources to navigate sensitive and complex situations, whilst protecting the organisation from risk.
You will also partner with the National Support Centre management team to drive engagement and support proactive people activity.
About Busy Bees
Founded in 1983, Busy Bees is the UK's leading childcare provider and the third largest globally, with over 1000 centres worldwide. We are a values-driven, purpose-led organisation, committed to giving every child the best start in life.
Why you'll love working for us
Sector-leading family leave, including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
Smart Hive – our 24/7 employee benefits platform with retail, travel, and cinema discounts
Childcare discount
Your birthday off every year plus 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
Health and wellbeing support, including our Employee Assistance Programme, Peppy, and Mental Health apps
Professional development through our in-house training academy and access to further qualification
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Service Focus: Leading, coaching, and upskilling the Advisers, ensuring they deliver exceptional service and consistently act in the best interests of employees, Line Managers, and the wider business.
Lead complex ER cases – taking ownership of high-risk and escalated cases, including tribunal claims, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
Act as a trusted advisor – providing clear, practical advice to managers and senior leaders, building confidence in handling ER issues.
Drive policy and process improvements – identifying trends and gaps, and leading initiatives that make our ER approach smarter and more proactive.
Legal compliance – overseeing all People policies, templates and guidance to ensure robust compliance with all aspects of safer recruitment practices, safeguarding and employment legislation.
Horizon scanning – ensuring our policies and practices are aligned with the changing legal landscape to ensure ongoing compliance. Liaising with external legal support and internal Quality team, where required.
Deliver training and guidance – empowering managers to handle ER issues effectively, consistently and confidently.
Balance risk – helping make decisions that are legally sound, commercially sensible, and people focused.
Provide insight – turning ER data into meaningful reports and recommendations that help to shape future strategy and training delivery.
Team-work – working closely with wider People team and business leaders to deliver joined-up solutions that support organisational goals.
Subject Matter Expertise – acting as the specialist for employee relations across the business, offering expert guidance across all areas of ER and employment law.
Governance – work with People Services Team Leader and wider People team to develop internal governance to ensure that all company, legislative and regulatory compliance is met. Ensuring correct levels of approval and maintaining version control / change logs accordingly.
Maintain High Standards: Overseeing and managing individual and team performance, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
What We're Looking For
Significant experience managing high-volume, complex ER cases within a multi-site organisation.
Strong working knowledge of UK employment law.
Experience handling escalated cases and employment tribunal claims.
Experience within a regulated environment (safeguarding and safer recruitment knowledge highly desirable).
Proven leadership and people management experience within HR.
Experience using HR systems and case management tools.
Strong Microsoft Office capability.
Calm and confident under pressure when managing sensitive issues.
Clear communicator who simplifies complex legal matters.
Commercially pragmatic and solution focused.
Analytical, data-driven and detail-oriented.
Passionate about service excellence and continuous improvement.
Highly organised with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative and relationship-driven, building strong internal and external networks.
If you are an experienced Employee Relations Manager or HR Compliance Lead ready to have a real impact on a purpose driven organisation we would love to hear from you.