Senior Employee Relations Manager

Employment Type: Fixed Term

Location: London

Work Site Type: Hybrid

 

Building a Brand Starts with a Story

FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency serving clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, new & traditional media, aerospace, healthcare, and professional services. FIRST has received numerous accolades, including being listed among the 2025 Most Innovative Marketing Agencies of the Year by Chief Marketer, named Top Agency of the Year 2024 by Event Marketer, highlighted as a Global Agency of the Year, over 100 Employees by C&IT, and listed among the "200 Top Marketing Agencies" in 2024, 2023, & 2022 by Chief Marketer.

Learn more at www.firstagency.com

What You Would Get To Do

As the Senior Employee Relations Manager, you would step into a pivotal strategic role, advising senior stakeholders and business partners on complex employee relations matters across the UK and Ireland with opportunities to contribute across EMEA and globally. You'd be the go-to expert for high impact, high-risk cases, guiding decision making, minimising legal risk, and influencing business outcomes.

You'd lead on shaping ER strategy, proactively navigating legal and regulatory changes, and ensuring our policies are fit for the future. Working closely with Legal, Business Partners, and L&D teams, you'd help build out training, update practices, and serve as a trusted advisor and escalation point across the business.

This role would allow you to make a tangible impact in a fast moving, complex organisation, using your expertise to craft tailored, practical solutions and drive meaningful change while building strong, influential relationships across multiple levels.

Your Contributions

  • Act as the point of contact for complex and high-risk employee relations issues, including complex grievances, disciplinaries, and workplace disputes; collaborate with legal counsel to develop case strategy and supporting evidence.
  • Provide expert advice and support to managers and senior leaders on managing employee conduct, underperformance, and conflict resolution.
  • Ensure effective resolution of disputes through mediation and negotiation, minimizing financial and reputational risk to the business.
  • Act as an escalation point on consultations, restructures, redundancies, and TUPE. 
  • Lead the strategic development and implementation of ER frameworks, ensuring alignment with business objectives and UK and Ireland employment law.
  • Identify trends and root causes of employee relations issues, recommending and implementing preventative strategies.
  • Proactively review ER policies and practices in line with changes to UK and Ireland employment law and evolving workplace trends. Partner with the People Operations team on required updates.
  • Collaborate with the L&D team on the development of training for managers and P&C teams on new policies, ensuring consistent application across the organisation.
  • Conduct regular audits to ensure ER processes comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Partner with internal and external legal advisors to stay informed of employment law developments and their impact on business operations.
  • Develop toolkits and resources to empower managers to address ER matters confidently and consistently.
  • Act as a mentor and coach to the P&C team, fostering a strong ER capability within the organisation.
  • Act as a strategic partner to senior leadership, providing expert insights on complex employee relations matters.
  • Advise on the ER implications of organisational changes.

What We Are Looking For 

  • CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent level HR certification preferred
  • Robust experience in an ER or senior HR advisory role supporting the UK and Ireland, with a strong focus on complex case management and tribunal experience.
  • Experience working in a global organisation within the hospitality/entertainment/production industry is preferred.
  • 5-7 years experience preferred. 
  • Proven track record of managing high-risk ER cases and providing strategic ER advice to senior leadership.
  • Experience in developing and implementing ER frameworks and influencing organizational policy at a senior level.
  • Expert knowledge of UK and Ireland employment law and its practical application.

At FIRST, we believe that our success is driven by the passion, creativity, and commitment of our teams. That's why we offer a range of benefits and perks to support your personal and professional growth:

  • Private Medical Insurance with BUPA from day one
  • 28 Days Annual Leave PLUS Bank Holidays
  • Personal Volunteer Day
  • 20 Days of Sick Pay each Year
  • Enhanced Parental Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
  • Wellness Stipend
  • Complimentary access to Headspace, Rocket Lawyer & Maven
  • Life Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Season Ticket Loan
  • Mobile Phone Allowance
  • Pension Scheme Enhancements
  • Discretionary Bonus Structure
  • Global Opportunities: With a presence in 7 countries worldwide including headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, you may have the opportunity to work on exciting projects across different locations.

#LI-JB1 #LI-hybrid

 

 

 

FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. FIRST is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We stand firm: FIRST will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. If any candidate feels that they are unable to meet the requirements of the role, please get in touch to discuss adjustments or other suitable roles.