Employee relations lead

London 📍 | hybrid 3 days a week | competitive salary + 20% bonus


at wagamama, food is life 🥢 and we’re here to make every bite count. with over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh asian inspired flavours since ‘92. it’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company 🍜🔥

were looking for a employee relations lead to join us on our journey 🌱 ready to dive in and stir things up?


purpose |

the role covers a wide range of employee relations and people related activity including leading a team to ensure a pro-active, efficient and legally compliant people service is delivered. the role will be responsible for the wagamama employee relations agenda (e.g. policy development, legal compliance) and lead on annual cyclical activities administration whilst nurturing a thriving culture across wagamama

working in partnership with hq/cpu directors, heads of department and managers, building and maintaining effective relationships to support the business achieving its strategic goals. the role is key to driving successful performance through the delivery of key people initiatives and people performance, aligning the business plan and priorities with the people agenda


what you’ll do |

employee relations

• manages complex employment matters, including tribunals and exits, providing timely, compliant and accurate outputs to support business needs

• leads on all responses to early conciliation requests, resolving where possible and leads on et3 responses in conjunction with employment lawyers to ensure that claims are defended responsibly and the company is not put at risk

• ensures training for managers across the business to provide knowledge of policies + process and skill to manage er cases locally. works closely with operations and pbps to resolve escalated er cases quickly and fairly to ensure a harmonious working environment and avoid litigation

• accountable for ensuring wagamama has up to date and fit for purposes people related policies not limited to er. maintains a process for ensuring policies are version controlled and updated in accordance with legislation changes

• responsible for ensuring legal compliance and cascade of changes (e.g. right to work, statutory policy)

• communicates changes to the business in the most appropriate fashion

• coaches and leads a team of people advisors to deliver all risk levels of er case loads

people services

• ensures transactional people admin processes (e.g. offer/t&c change/leaver paperwork, benefits administration) are delivered + cyclical processes (e.g. pay review, bonus, pension auto-enrolment) are planned and delivered

• ensuring a clear scope of services is available and agrees sla’s with the business. ensures the people services customer model is well managed and queries responded to quickly

analytics

•uses analytics and people information to prioritise areas of focus and identify trends so we’re working on the right things and spending times in the right place. this information is also used to shape a proactive approach to talent management

enabling people to be the best they can be

•identifies underperformance quickly and supports hq/cpu hods / directors / managers to resolve so people can be successful and are in the right position

•knows what good looks like and recognises the success factors that result in high performance so others can learn and the business can be successful

•in partnership with the wider talent team + learning & development centre of excellence, ensures a clear focus on ‘growing in life + work’ so once identified, our people fulfil their potential and grow through wagamama. this is seamlessly linked with talent plans. together, ensure that the right interventions are in place at the right time, for the right people to support development and build our internal talent pipeline


what’s in it for you |

* competitive salary + 20% bonus potential
* hybrid working
* come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks
* £200 monthly wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
* private healthcare
* 3% pension contribution
* 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
* + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter
* Supporting you every step of the way! family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents


nothing brings people together like great food. no matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table | because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs