Employee Relations Technical Lead

• Be the ER subject matter expert for the team, department and wider business.
• Lead external ER horizon scanning to drive the strategic direction of ER initiatives, balancing business needs with risk appetite.
• Hybrid – Up to 80% homeworking available and 20% in Stratford-upon-Avon.

We’re making some exciting changes to the HR Division at NFU Mutual. With future-proofed capabilities, technology enabled systems, high engagement and improved career paths high on the agenda, this is a great time to join the team. This brand-new Employee Relations Technical Lead role will own and oversee our proposition, ensuring we’re firmly future focused and meeting the needs of the business.

In this role, you will be a subject matter expert on complex Employee Relations (ER) matters. You will provide guidance and support to both the ER team and the wider business. Your focus will be on ensuring legal and regulatory compliance, mitigating risks, and upskilling the ER team. You’ll drive the strategic direction of ER initiatives through external horizon scanning, providing insights to key stakeholders that balance business needs with the company’s risk appetite.

You will lead the development and implementation of ER policies that meet legislative standards and support NFUM’s commitment to being a Great Place to Work. This involves overseeing HR casework, managing employment litigation, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders for effective case management. Additionally, you will foster constructive relationships with union representatives and internal groups, ensuring a positive employee relations environment. By monitoring ER trends, you'll deliver insights that enhance service delivery and align with industry best practices, supporting NFUM’s ongoing success.

This role is based in our Tiddington Head Office, just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon. However, we understand how important a positive work-life balance is, so to help you give your best, we offer great facilities when you want to be in an office environment and support to work up to 80% of your hours from home.

With extensive experience in Employee Relations within customer-focused environments, you will have held a senior ER role, serving as the escalation point, managing complex cases, and making decisions aligned with risk frameworks.

In addition, you must also demonstrate:

• A proven ability to apply UK Employment Legislation and contractual obligations in practical settings
• A broad HR generalist knowledge.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Experience of guiding and coaching business leaders, combined with upskilling team members.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are also needed to convey complex ER concepts clearly.
• Experience in developing and implementing ER policies.

Desirable:

• Experience in a regulated financial services environment is advantageous.
• A CIPD qualification or working towards, or equivalent relevant professional qualification or experience.
• A full driving licence as there may be a requirement to travel occasionally to our other UK office locations.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees.

We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:

• Salary £60,000 to £70,000
• Annual bonus (up to 25% of salary)
• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution
• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme
• A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities
• Private medical insurance + options to add family members
• Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets
• £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership – subject to T&Cs
• Health and wellbeing plan - cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more
• Employee Volunteering - volunteer in the community for one day each year
• Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme
• Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary
• Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.

We’re one of the UK’s leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we’ve put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us. We pride ourselves on being “a great place to work” and we're one of only 60 companies across the globe to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2024 award, and one of only 2 companies to receive the award for the ninth consecutive year. We were also named in the LinkedIn Top 25 Companies List 2021, the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023 and 2024.

We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Tiddington Road
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 7BJ

Vacancy managed by

Sarah Carey