Employee Relations Manager
| Posting date: | 28 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £53,460 to £61,638 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 February 2026 |
| Location: | Thurrock, Essex, RM17 6SL |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Thurrock Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 2826_1769609506 |
Summary
Job Title: Employee Relations Manager
Salary: £53,460 - £61,638per 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): 8th February 2026
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Reshma Deshpande -
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF)
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