Industrial Relations Manager / Employment Relations Manager

Location: Kent (Hybrid and flexible working arrangements available)

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About the Organisation

We are a well-established membership and social partnership organisation operating within a major UK industry sector. Working closely with employers, employees and representative bodies, we play a key role in promoting effective industrial relations, supporting workforce development, administering industry agreements and maintaining high professional standards across the sector.

Our organisation supports hundreds of member companies and thousands of employees and apprentices, while providing nationally recognised services that contribute to the development, safety and sustainability of the industry.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Industrial Relations Manager (or Employment Relations Manager) to join our team and help shape positive employment relations across the sector.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Industrial Relations, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the operation, development and promotion of our collective employment framework and dispute resolution procedures.

You will provide authoritative employment and industrial relations advice, manage dispute resolution processes, support stakeholder engagement activities and contribute to the ongoing development of industry policies, procedures and guidance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an employment relations professional with experience in mediation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), employee relations or industrial relations who is looking to work within a collaborative social partnership environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employment & Industrial Relations Advice

• Provide practical, consistent and commercially aware advice to employers, employees and apprentices on the interpretation and application of collective agreements and working rules.
• Advise on disciplinary, grievance, capability and performance matters.
• Ensure guidance reflects current employment legislation and best practice.

Dispute Resolution & Mediation

• Manage the end-to-end operation of formal dispute resolution procedures.
• Lead mediation, conciliation and early intervention activities to support positive outcomes.
• Prepare case documentation, reports, hearing papers and recommendations.
• Identify emerging trends and contribute to preventative initiatives and policy improvements.

Governance & Committee Support

• Provide full secretariat support to committees, regional boards and working groups.
• Coordinate agendas, meeting papers, minutes and action tracking.
• Produce reports and management information for senior stakeholders.

Policy Development & Agreement Maintenance

• Support the review and updating of industry agreements, handbooks and guidance documents.
• Monitor legislative developments and assess their impact.
• Assist with drafting policy updates, guidance notes and procedural documentation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Deliver presentations, briefings and training sessions to employers and industry stakeholders.
• Develop guidance materials, FAQs and communication resources.
• Promote understanding and effective use of organisational services.

Research, Data & Reporting

• Manage annual surveys and analyse results.
• Produce reports on dispute activity, trends and engagement levels.
• Support evidence-based service improvements.

About You

You will be an organised, professional and confident employment relations practitioner with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Essential

• Experience working within an Employment Relations, Employee Relations or Industrial Relations environment.
• Knowledge