Employee Relations Manager (Fixed Term Contract)

About the role...

Are you an employee relations specialist looking to shape, strengthen and embed strategy in a dynamic environment?

We’re looking for an Employee Relations Manager to join us on an FTC basis until June 2027. Working closely with the People Business Partners, Centres of Excellence and senior leaders, you’ll provide expert guidance, lead on complex and high-risk ER activity, and help drive a consistent, proactive and commercially balanced ER service across CP.

As an Employee Relations Manager you’ll bring strong technical ER expertise, confidence in managing complex employee relations matters, and the ability to coach and influence managers at all levels. We’re seeking someone who can hit the ground running, provide credible advice from day one, mentor and line manage others in the team, and help build ER capability across CP.

A key part of the role will be to identify risk, build manager capability, develop practical ER frameworks, use data to spot themes and improvements, and ensure our approach remains aligned to CP’s culture, values and employment obligations.

This is an extremely varied role with a broad remit, with responsibilities including;

Employee Relations:

• Act as a senior point of contact for managers and leaders, providing expert advice on complex ER matters including grievances, disciplinaries, performance, sickness absence, capability, restructures, visa-related considerations and sensitive workplace issues.

• Lead and oversee investigations into complaints, workplace incidents or breaches of policy, ensuring fair, thorough, legally robust and timely outcomes.

• Provide clear advice and guidance on ER outcomes, sanctions and risk mitigation, ensuring CP meets its obligations as an employer.

• Work with our Occupational health provider or other specialist support providers when needed. Work with our internal teams to understand workplace needs assessments and reasonable adjustment plans.

• Analyse trends in employee relations, identify root causes and recommend proactive interventions that improve manager capability, reduce risk and support a positive colleague experience.

• Advise and support in any acquisitions and the required process in accordance with legislation.

Manager Training and Development:

• Design, develop and deliver practical ER training for managers and leaders, building capability in effective employee relations practice, conflict resolution, difficult conversations and HR compliance.

• Coach, challenge and guide managers to ensure they handle difficult conversations, performance reviews, disciplinary processes and other ER activity confidently, consistently and empathetically.

• Regularly update training materials to reflect any changes in HR policies or legal requirements.

Policy & Process Updates:

• Monitor employment legislation, case law, regulatory updates and best practice, translating changes into clear practical guidance for the People Team, HRBPs and managers.

• Lead on the review and improvement of ER policies, procedures, templates and training materials, ensuring they are clear, compliant, consistent and easy for managers to use.

Communication & Relationships:

• Build strong relationships with People BPs, senior leaders and managers across service lines, ensuring they are regularly updated on cases, themes, risks and recommended actions.

• Work closely with the People BP’s to ensure ER outcomes are applied consistently across all service lines.

• Lead and/or support ER-related projects and initiatives, working collaboratively with People specialisms, People BPs and external advisors to deliver high-quality outcomes.

• Mentor, support and line manage others in the ER team, providing day-to-day guidance, case coaching, quality assurance and development support to build capability and confidence.

• Work closely with our employment law advisors in the UK and overseas (South Africa & the Philippines) to ensure we are compliant with legislation and provide updates and recommendations for any upcoming legislative changes.

Reporting and Analysis:

• Track, analyse and interpret employee relations data & provide insightful reports and trends, including grievance trends, disciplinary activity, sickness absence, case duration, outcomes, risk levels and colleague feedback to strengthen ER practice.

Continuous Improvement:

• Stay up to date with ER, employment law and HR best practice, sharing insight and recommendations that keep CP ahead of risk and aligned to future ways of working.

• Lead continuous improvement across ER processes, policies, governance, reporting and systems, using feedback, data and best practice to simplify activity and improve the colleague and manager experience.

About you...

At Cooper Parry, we’re in it together. All we ask of our people is that they play all in. You’ll continuously strive to keep learning – whether you’re a trainee or a Partner – and you’ll be brave, stepping out of your comfort zone to tackle new challenges. Above all, be nice. A simple notion, but an irreplaceable part of what makes CP, CP.

In addition to the above, the ideal candidate will also have…

• Strong technical ER expertise with the confidence to advise on complex, sensitive and high-risk cases

• Commercial, solution-focused mindset with sound judgement and a balanced approach to risk

• Ability to influence, coach and challenge managers and senior stakeholders with credibility

• Proven ability to mentor, develop and line manage others, setting clear expectations and supporting high-quality ER delivery

• Able to work at pace, prioritise effectively and manage multiple complex cases, projects and stakeholder needs

• High resilience, discretion and professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive matters

About us...

We’ve been dubbed ‘the rebels of accountancy’. We’re straight-talking. Never afraid to share our opinions. We put people and relationships before products and services, and deliver a streamlined, client-focused service – free from unnecessary red tape.

Check out our recent achievements:

• Best Companies’ No.1 Accountancy Firm & No.30 Best Large Company to Work For in the UK
• Became B Corp Certified in 2023 and we’re still the UK’s largest accountancy B Corp, measuring and improving our impact beyond business for a brighter tomorrow
• Achieved 5 awards at the Inspiring Workplace Awards in 2025: winner in the Large Business category and best in class for inspiring People & Culture, Wellbeing, Inclusion and Employee Experience

What's in it for you?

Our people are the beating heart of our culture. We know that if you love working here, and you’re given the trust and autonomy to work in a way that best suits you, you’ll produce amazing results.

That’s why we offer things like:

• A flexible approach to work - balancing working from home, in office or with clients
• A generous holiday entitlement
• An enhanced parental leave policy
• An enhanced pension scheme
• No dress code – just “wear something!”
• A multi-award-winning wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health
• Volunteering opportunities to work closer with local communities and charities
• Cooper Parry social/sports clubs

Feeling supported and welcomed is such a big part of bringing your whole self to work. As an equal opportunities employer, we’ll work with you to ensure you have everything you need to develop your skills and achieve your best.

Get in touch if you have any questions about our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion or about accessibility/accommodations during your application process.

For the attention of agencies - unsolicited CVs will not be honoured. We will only accept CV submissions for roles briefed to you by our Talent Acquisition team.

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