The Go-Ahead Group
Employee Relations Manager
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About the Company
Go-Ahead Group is a leading international public transport operator providing bus and rail services across the UK and internationally. We play an important role in connecting communities and helping people travel safely and sustainably every day.
About the Role
Location: 55 Degrees North, Newcastle
Reporting to: Head of People Services
The Role
Go-Ahead Group is seeking an Employee Relations Manager to provide specialist employee and industrial relations expertise across the Group. Reporting to the Head of People Services, this role will support complex, sensitive and high-risk ER and IR matters, helping leaders manage people issues fairly, consistently and in line with employment law, Group policy and the Go-Ahead Way. The role will also strengthen governance, support People risk management and help shape practical policies, toolkits and guidance across Group and Operating Companies.
Responsibilities
Employee Relations Advice & Case Management
- Provide specialist ER advice and guidance on complex, sensitive and high-risk employee relations matters, ensuring cases are managed in line with employment law, Group policy and the Go-Ahead Way.
- Support People Business Partners, People Leads and managers with high-risk disciplinary, grievance, capability, conduct, absence and performance matters.
- Maintain consolidated Tribunal and settlement logs across UK Operating Companies, providing reporting on risks, case trends and costs.
- Promote fair, consistent and inclusive ER practice, enabling leaders to make informed decisions that balance legal risk, colleague experience and operational requirements.
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Policy, Process & Toolkits
- Develop and implement People and Culture policies, templates, manager toolkits, briefings and colleague communications that are practical, clear and aligned to current and emerging employment legislation.
Organisational Change & Industrial Relations
- Provide ER and IR advice for organisational change programmes, including restructuring, redundancy, TUPE, harmonisation and collective changes to terms and conditions.
People Risk, Compliance & EVP
- Coordinate the People risk log, track audit actions, monitor ER and IR trends, support compliance activity and help improve awareness and take-up of colleague benefits across key employee lifecycle moments.
Qualifications
- Proven employee relations experience in a complex organisation, with experience advising on disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence, performance and workplace conflict matters.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, ACAS guidance and practical ER risk management.
- Experience supporting complex or high-risk ER cases, including investigations, hearings, appeals, settlement discussions and escalated matters.
- Experience supporting industrial relations strategy, trade union engagement and organisational change in complex, multi-site or unionised environments.
- Experience developing ER policies, practical guidance, manager toolkits, briefings, FAQs or colleague communications.
- CIPD qualification or equivalent practical HR/ER experience is desirable.
Required Skills
- Calm, credible and confident when advising on sensitive people matters, with strong judgement, attention to detail, inclusive values and the ability to balance legal risk, fairness, colleague experience and operational needs.
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If you don’t meet every requirement but feel this role could be right for you, we still encourage you to apply.
Pay range and compensation package
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing, financial, and emotional support
- Flexible working to balance your needs
- 25 days holiday, pension, life Assurance travel pass, buy and sell holiday up to 5 days, Discount platform.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce where all our people feel valued, supported and able to succeed. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): age, race, religion or belief, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, caregiving responsibilities or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws. We will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. If you require adjustments to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know at tom.white@go-ahead.com.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Apply today and start a rewarding career with Go-Ahead Group - keeping our communities moving. Please send your cv to Tom.white@go-ahead.com.
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