Employee Relations Manager

Job Introduction

We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Employee Relations Manager to join us on our journey in providing a proactive and comprehensive employee relations service. Working across multi-disciplined business areas you will be responsible for working closely with senior managers across our network, providing specialist and technical advice, as well as a key role in developing and implementing the employee relations strategy.

The role can be based across our network, but you will be working in various locations from our Head Office in London More Riverside to one of our depots as required, there is the opportunity to work remotely.

Role Responsibility

The successful candidate would be joining the Employee Relations team at an exciting time where we are in the early stages of developing a challenging and innovative employee relations strategy and the role of the Employee Relations Manager will be integral to its development and implementation as well as managing a small team of talented Area HR Managers who are keenly imputing into its development. Additionally, you will be working with our wider HR team and operational managers, making a real and lasting difference.

• Key role in the development of the employee relations strategy and implementation. Own strands of the strategy and drive success.
• Work across all business streams to ensure first-class employee relations advice and support is delivered to the business.
• Coach, develop and empower a team of Area HR Managers in all aspects of the ER cycle to deliver employee relations excellence in every way.
• Identify and develop (in conjunction with the Area HR Managers) a list of er KPI’s and metrics to measure, analyse and report on to the Head of Employee Relations and business areas.
• Shape and influence the Area HR Managers and senior leadership teams in transforming a reactive ER climate into a culture of collaboration and proactive employee relations.
• Support on complex disciplinary and grievance issues and litigation strategy, relating to tribunal claims, early conciliation, and settlement.
• To deputise on behalf of the Head of Employee Relations at times, providing exposure to wider matters.
• Involvement in projects and wider business activities.

The Ideal Candidate

Candidates should possess extensive ER experience gained within a multi-site organisation. Demonstrable experience of dealing with an array of complex ER issues within a unionised environment is also required. 

We would encourage you to demonstrate the below in your application; 

• Minimum level 7 CIPD or equivalent qualification.  Chartered member of CIPD or working towards this with evidence of continuous professional development.
• Previous experience in an HR Generalist or ER role within a unionised and regulated environment. 
• Previous experience of leading a team.
• Proven ER experience including advising on complex disciplinary and grievance issues with the ability to apply the relevant legal principles and risk assessment.
• Experience of supporting large scale organisational change and restructuring programmes including TUPE, redundancy and contractual variations.
• Experience of partnering with trade unions and a good understanding of the trade union framework and collective bargaining.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to interact across all levels of management.
• Strong attention to detail, problem-solving ability and ability to deliver results to demanding deadlines.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited