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Job Description
Job Title: Employee Relations Manager
Salary: £53,460 - £61,638 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: G
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Employee Relations (ER) Manager to lead and enhance our employee relations function. This is a pivotal role within People Services, responsible for driving a consistent, high-quality ER approach across the Council while supporting leaders through complex casework, organisational change, and workforce transformation.
What You'll Be Doing
As our Employee Relations Manager, you will:
* Lead the delivery of expert employee relations advice across the Council.
* Manage complex and high-risk ER cases, ensuring they are resolved fairly, consistently and in line with legislation, policy and best practice.
* Represent the organisation in Employment Tribunal (ET) cases, including preparing documentation, supporting legal advisors, and presenting evidence where required.
* Coach, mentor and develop ER Advisors and People Services colleagues to build capability, confidence and consistency in ER practice.
* Identify opportunities to improve policies, processes and ER interventions to support a positive, proactive employee experience.
* Build strong relationships with managers, trade unions and stakeholders to enable early resolution and constructive collaboration.
About You
You will bring a strong track record in employee relations, with the credibility and resilience to operate at a senior level. In particular, you will have:
* Substantial Employment Tribunal (ET) experience, including case preparation, liaison with legal representatives and participation in hearings.
* Extensive experience supporting and leading large-scale restructures and organisational change, ideally within a complex or unionised environment.
* Demonstrable experience of coaching, developing and upskilling ER teams, with a passion for building capability and embedding best practice.
* Excellent knowledge of employment law and HR policies, with the ability to interpret and apply these confidently.
* Strong influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and provide robust, solution-focused advice.
* The ability to work at pace, juggle competing priorities and confidently manage sensitive or contentious issues.
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
* Ongoing training and professional development
* Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
* Staff discounts and local offers
* A supportive and inclusive working environment
Important Dates
Redeployment only: 29 January 2026
Closing Date (Internal & External): 8 February 2026
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Reshma Deshpande – Reshma.deshpande@thurrock.gov.uk
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF)
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About Us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
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