Employee Relations Manager (FTC)

Practice Group / Department:

Job Description

Were Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7000 employees worldwide. We provide the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience were looking for people who are innovative commercial and value the work that they do.

The Team

Reporting to the Head of Employee Relations EMEA this role is based in London. The Employee Relations (ER) function sits within the wider People & Culture (P&C) department and works very closely with the People and Culture Business Partners and Advisors based in London and Newcastle as well as closely collaborating with our Centres of Excellence.

This role is a 12 month FTC.

The Role

The successful role holder will:

• provide expert advice and guidance on the full spectrum of ER matters.
• have extensive UK ER experience including complex case management and policy development. Experience in leading or supporting ER matters in other jurisdictions is desirable.
• be highly data-driven proactive and confident engaging and influencing at all levels.
• take a commercial pragmatic and solution orientated approach to ER issues.
• enjoy shaping and improving ER processes policies and governance within a complex environment.
• drive consistency and continuous improvement.
• play a key role in developing and implementing an action plan for the Employment Rights Act (2025).
• thrive in building positive stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide commercial advice and guidance to P&C colleagues and People leaders including Partners on sensitive employee relations matters including; disciplinary grievance restructuring settlement agreements and policy interpretation.
• Balance legal risk culture commercial reputational and regulatory considerations when providing strategic advice or recommending solutions.
• Act as first point of escalation for the P&C team on advice related to ER matters and policy interpretation. Exercise sound judgment in seeking guidance or further escalation with support from the Head of ER where required.

• Confidently and independently manage sensitive employee investigations including conduct grievances and complaints.
• Produce high quality reports and written documentation related to investigations and other ER processes.
• Maintain accurate and up to date case reporting and status updates.
• Support the Head of ER by pro-actively contributing to projects which will include organisational change programmes and the development and implementation of an action plan for the Employment Rights Act (2025).

• Support in the creation and development of user-friendly frameworks and toolkits that will equip the People & Culture team and management to independently navigate ER issues (e.g. for grievances disciplinaries performance management sickness absence etc).
• Support in training and developing P&C colleagues to upskill in ER matters and key employment concepts.

• Drive consistency and fairness across the firm by facilitating case reviews lessons learnt sessions and cross-team alignment discussions. Including ensuring that debriefings are held following significant ER matters in order that lessons learnt are reviewed and acted upon.
• Use ER data to develop reports and insights and identify any themes risks and opportunities for proactive intervention.
• Ensure the ER approach reinforces firm culture and values and an environment of high performance high support.

• Proactively maintain and apply knowledge of employment law firm policies and practices.

Key Skills and Experience

• An ER specialist with significant and recent experience in an ER focussed role at manager level.
• Commercial and strategic mindset.
• Experience working in a law firm partnership model or professional services is essential
• Up to date understanding of UK employment law.
• Knowledge and experience of managing ER matters across Europe Middle East Asia and Australia is desirable.

• Exceptional drafting and written skills with strong attention to detail.
• Able to analyse and synthesise extensive amounts of information and data into critical insights and reach evidence-based conclusions.
• A methodical systematic organised approach to work.
• Sound judgment and discretion.

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Diversity Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work have a sense of belonging and realize their full career potential.
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our peoples health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity Equity and Inclusionhere.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations please let us know here.