Senior Employee Relations Manager
Permanent
Location: Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Hours: Full time, Monday – Friday, 5 days a week, office based with regular travel across the UK
Pay: £56,000 – £60,000 per annum
Join Our Team as a Senior Employee Relations Manager!
We’re looking for an experienced Senior Employee Relations Manager to lead our ER function in our HR team and play a pivotal role in shaping how Wilson James manages complex people matters across the organisation. This is a high‑impact role, partnering closely with HR leaders to deliver expert, pragmatic, and risk‑based ER guidance that supports confident, compliant, and commercially sound decision‑making.
You’ll lead a team of ER Managers and Advisors, drive continuous improvement, and ensure our ER service is consistent, legally robust, and aligned with best practice.
About The Role
* Leading, developing, and coaching a high‑performing team of ER Managers and Advisors.
* Overseeing complex and high‑risk ER casework, providing expert guidance and acting as the senior point of escalation.
* Managing Employment Tribunal activity, ACAS/LRA processes, and instructing legal counsel where required.
* Ensuring consistent application of ER policies, principles, and legal standards across the organisation.
* Supporting organisational change programmes, including restructures, redundancy consultations, and TUPE processes.
* Redesigning and improving ER processes, governance frameworks, and policy development.
* Building strong relationships with senior leaders, HR partners, trade unions, and employee representatives.
* Using ER data, metrics, and trends to inform decision‑making, highlight risks, and drive continuous improvement.
Why Join Us?
* Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
* Lifestyle Benefits – mortgage and financial advice, vouchers for various shopping outlets and food stores, employee referral scheme.
* Learning & Development – we actively encourage progression and offer various eLearning courses, progression, training while on site, apprenticeships, and in‑house training courses.
* Health and Wellbeing – life assurance scheme, access to mental health support specialists.
* Access to an online GP for you and your dependents.
* Financial support.
* Discounts on hundreds of retail sites.
* Progression opportunities – many of our team go on to senior and site management roles.
* A welcoming, respectful team culture.
* Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
What We Are Looking For
* Significant experience in senior ER leadership or specialist HR roles.
* A strong track record managing complex ER cases, including ETs, large‑scale change, and TUPE.
* Proven experience leading and developing ER specialists.
* Deep knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practice.
* A data‑driven mindset with the ability to translate insight into action.
* Experience working in a complex, regulated, or multi‑site environment.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
* A calm, credible, and commercially minded approach to high‑risk matters.
If you’re a confident ER leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, complex environment and enjoys shaping best practice, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested? Apply now and secure your future with us!
Please be aware that, on occasion, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of strong applications.
Wilson James is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position, however each case will be assessed on an individual basis. For information about Wilson James' commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, https://wilsonjames.co.uk/sustainability
Wilson James has been raising standards in security, construction logistics, aviation services, and technology for over 30 years. With 5,000 employees and a presence across more than 300 client sites all over the UK, we are dedicated to delivering tailored solutions and top‑tier customer service. As a leading managed service provider, we prioritise safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Joining Wilson James offers the excitement of working with diverse, vibrant clients, making for a dynamic and engaging workplace.
Internal Applicants
At Wilson James, we support career growth and offer internal mobility to help employees explore new roles and advance within the company. Committed to promoting from within, we provide clear career pathways and continuous skill development. Unlock your potential by applying for exciting internal opportunities and new challenges. If you are currently employed under TUPE terms and conditions, please note that successful appointment to this role will be on Wilson James standard terms and conditions.
* Apply Now
Wilson James Ltd, Chalkwell Lawns, 648‑656 London Road, Westcliff‑on‑Sea, Southend‑on‑Sea, Essex, UK, SS0 9HR
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