River Island

Employee Relations Manager

River Island

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: London • United Kingdom

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Job Level

Junior

About the role

  • Lead the employee relations framework across the organisation.
  • Manage complex, sensitive, and high-risk ER cases including grievances, disciplinaries, performance management, investigations, dismissals, and organisational change matters; in partnership with the relevant Business Partner.
  • Act as the escalation point for senior leaders and HR colleagues on ER issues.
  • Ensure consistent and fair application of policies and procedures across all locations.
  • Monitor and interpret pending and emerging UK and Irish employment legislation and assess potential impact on the organisation.
  • Lead the implementation of legislative changes into policies, procedures, and HR practices; partnering with the wider HR team.
  • Translate legal requirements into clear and practical guidance for managers and HR teams.
  • Proactively identify organisational risks associated with legislative change and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Show up as the technical expert; providing expert advice to senior leaders on complex employee relations matters and legal risk, in partnership with relevant BP.
  • Partner with internal or external legal advisors on high-risk or litigious cases.
  • Support organisational change initiatives, leading the programme management of any large scale changes ensuring all legal requirements are met.
  • Develop, review, and maintain employee relations policies and procedures to ensure compliance with UK and Irish employment law.
  • Lead consultation processes related to policy changes and organisational initiatives where required.
  • Support the management of employment tribunal claims, ACAS Early Conciliation cases, and other formal disputes.
  • Design and deliver training for managers on employee relations best practice, including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, and performance management.
  • Coach managers and HR colleagues to build confidence and capability in managing people issues effectively and fairly.
  • Upskill HR team on upcoming employment law changes but also cases of interest that may influence how we work moving forwards.
  • Track and analyse employee relations data and trends to identify recurring issues and areas of organisational risk.
  • Use insights to recommend improvements to policies, processes, and manager capability.
  • Contribute to broader people strategy initiatives related to engagement, retention, and workplace culture.
  • Acts as the central collation point for all ER activity, particularly when reporting on litigation risk.
  • Build strong relationships with HR colleagues, and senior stakeholders.
  • Engage with trade unions or employee representatives where applicable.
  • Act as a trusted and impartial advisor on employee relations matters.

Requirements

  • Significant experience in employee relations or HR with a strong focus on ER.
  • Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations best practice.
  • Proven experience managing complex and high-risk ER cases end-to-end.
  • Experience advising senior stakeholders on people-related risk and decision-making.
  • Excellent investigation, analytical, and report-writing skills.
  • Strong communication and influencing capability.
  • Experience working in a fast paced, multi-site environment.
  • Ability to travel across our retail estate
Benefits
  • Generous 50% staff discount so you can treat yourself to the latest products, and a bargain staff shop on site!
  • Reducing Islanders everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more through the Retail Trust.
  • A free onsite gym, subsidised restaurant & café to fill your needs. Various social events to socialise throughout the year.
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption & fertility treatment.
  • Flexible working is a given, on top of payday and summer early finish Fridays.
  • Give as you earn scheme, a ‘Giver Island’ day each year and receive matched funding.
  • Support with upskilling through on the job training and qualifications. A succession plan if you want to progress.
  • A generous bonus scheme & private pension plan.
  • The choice to opt in for healthcare through AXA.
  • An allowance supporting your commute to work.
  • 25 days paid holiday, exclusive of Bank Holidays. With the added option to purchase additional holiday twice a year for whatever the need!
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
employee relationsemployment lawinvestigationsperformance managementgrievancesdisciplinariesdata analysisreport writingpolicy developmentrisk management
Soft Skills
communicationinfluencinganalytical thinkingcoachingrelationship buildingproblem-solvingorganizational change managementconsultationtraining deliveryadvisory skills