Head of Employee Relations

Role: Head of Employee Relations
Type: Fixed Term Contract or Permanent
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Hybrid or Remote: Hybrid working (City-based campus with occasional travel)
Location: West Midlands

Sellick Partnership is partnering with a respected higher education organisation to recruit a Head of Employee Relations on a fixed-term or permanent basis.

The postholder will play a key role in driving a positive and productive work climate, strengthening employee engagement, and supporting managers in building trust-based relationships across the organisation. They will also work in partnership with HR and management teams to deliver effective change projects and ensure strategies supporting the employee voice are successfully implemented.

The responsibilities of the Head of Employee Relations will be:

• Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leaders on complex employee relations issues.
• Lead on the design, implementation, and review of employment policies and procedures.
• Build strong partnerships with recognised trade unions, fostering a positive and collaborative ER climate.
• Oversee and support complex change management projects across multiple departments.
• Lead the ER team to develop capability and ensure consistent advice and delivery.
• Analyse and report on ER data, identifying trends and recommending solutions.
• Support initiatives that promote staff wellbeing, engagement, and a positive workplace culture.
• Act as a senior advisor within the HR leadership team, contributing to the delivery of the wider People Strategy.

The ideal candidate for the Head of Employee Relations role will have:

• Chartered CIPD membership (Level 7 or equivalent or qualified by experience).
• Proven experience managing complex employee relations matters in a unionised environment.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and case law.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Experience developing and maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions.
• A proactive, strategic approach with the ability to deliver practical HR solutions.
• Experience working in large, complex organisations, ideally within the public or higher education sector.

How to apply for the Head of Employee Relations role:

If you believe you are well-suited to this excellent opportunity, please apply directly or contact either Charlotte Broomfield or Tim Farnsworth at Sellick Partnership's Derby Office for more information.

CVs will be reviewed upon receipt, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted to arrange interviews as soon as possible.

Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Please note, our advertisements use years' experience, hourly rates, and salary levels purely as a guide and we assess applications based on the experience and skills evidenced on the CV. For information on how your personal details may be used by Sellick Partnership, please review our data processing notice on our website.