Employee Relations Manager - Contract (12 months)

Location: Belfast

Workplace: Hybrid

The opportunity:

The Employee Relations Manager - Contract (12 months) will be part of a successful Human Resources Business Partnering (HRBP) team, collectively delivering an excellent level of operational client service to the Firm.

The role-holder will be working alongside the London Talent and Risk teams, responsible for providing the firm with commercial employee relations advice whilst effectively managing risk for the firm, and supporting delivery of the Firm's strategic people priorities. The individual will provide a responsive, commercial, and solutions-focused approach.

The role-holder will work collaboratively with Talent team colleagues, the wider People team, Partners and line managers.

Working at Baker McKenzie:

Baker McKenzie is the world’s leading law firm with offices all over the world. Our Belfast Centre is home to over 400 colleagues in both legal and professional services.

We offer one of the best workplace benefits packages in the business with comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. These and a host of other benefits make us one of the most desirable companies to work for in Belfast.

We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity for all and are confident we can provide a career as individual and as exceptional as you.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted adviser, working with Partners, managers and HR Business Partners across the London office to provide strategic advice and solutions, enabling the firm to navigate sensitive and business critical employment issues, including complaints and grievances, misconduct and other disciplinary matters, restructures, negotiated employee exits and settlement agreements, complex performance/capability issues and absence management
• Advise on general employment law queries including (but not limited to) contractual issues, equality legislation, and employment status issues
• Support the London People and Risk teams, managing any employment-related litigation and liaising with external employment counsel where required
• Lead on the case management of formal grievances and disciplinary processes in the London office; conduct or support investigations where required, providing strategic advice to Partners/managers and members of the London Talent team
• Collaborate with the General Counsel & Risk team about the Firm's regulatory reporting obligations.
• Alongside the London Talent, Risk and Reward teams, develop and implement people policies, guidelines and processes, partnering with internal stakeholders where appropriate, and proactively reviewing these policies in line with ongoing changes and market trends; Advise on the application of policies across the business, ensuring a fair and consistent approach
• Develop and deliver employment and policy-related training for the Talent function (and wider firm, where appropriate)
• Provide support on various local, regional and global people projects/initiatives
• Draft and update contracts and other key templates as required
• Maintain a record of budget expenditure concerning any external legal advisers
• Collaborate and share knowledge across the People team (locally and regionally) and coaching, mentoring, and motivating more junior members of the Talent team
• Lead or assist with ad hoc project work
• Travel to London required

Skills and Experience:

• Experienced Employee Relations specialist at Manager Level or qualified lawyer with employment law expertise; in-house experience preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to inspire trust, influence, and challenge.
• Methodical and detail-oriented; balances pragmatism, empathy, risk, and compliance.
• Identifies real issues, anticipates requirements, and considers potential consequences.
• Positively impacts others and develops personally and professionally; strong client service ethos.
• Subject matter expert in their field.
• Constructive approach to high-pressure situations; focuses on solutions.
• Makes sound commercial decisions based on business understanding.
• Catalyst and leader of change; flexible to adapt to business needs.
• Strategic thinker with excellent influencing and presentation skills.
• Strong client relationship skills; manages diverse leader relationships without compromising service levels.
• Builds rapport at all levels; motivates and develops people.
• In-depth knowledge of HR legislation, principles, policies, and procedures.
• Creative and innovative problem-solving for complex issues.
• Strong diagnostic and analytic skills; exercises good judgment.
• Collaborative approach; works effectively with others to achieve team success.