Head of Employee Relations - Coventry

Head of Employee Relations Jobs

As companies get larger, the workforce can become a powerful group. Industrial disputes are a reality of running a company, and managed badly they can reduce productivity, worry investors and hand advantages to competitors. That’s why many companies employ a head of employee relations. This role has the task of liaising with the workforce’s representatives, be they employees, shop stewards or third party union reps, to ensure relations between them and the senior management are optimal to the success and productivity of the company.

The head of employee relations is called upon to settle grievances and deal with disciplinary proceedings in a way that is seen to be fair, balanced and consistent. There are also health and safety considerations to contend with, and other aspects of employment law that affect the sector. Depending on the size of the company and the complexity of the employment picture, the head may also be asked to create a team of employee relations staff who oversee certain areas of the business.

The skills required

The overriding skill for this job is a demonstrable ability to deal with the reasonable demands of employees in a way that keeps them satisfied while maintaining maximum profitability and stability for the company. This can be a tough job, although expectations can be managed by ensuring employees’ rights and the company’s expectations of them are communicated to them at the contract stage.

Experience of dealing with unions is a bonus that will stand you in good stead in certain industries. An ability to foster relationships where employees can recognize the benefits of a harmonious atmosphere will be a valuable asset in the role. Avoiding disputes by constant communication with employees and/or their representatives and the board, plus any HR managers and directors, is key, so a CV that shows you have maintained good relations between employees and management will be useful.

Head of Employee Relations Jobs in Coventry

Situated in the West Midlands and less than 20 miles from Birmingham, Coventry is a metropolitan borough and one of the top ten largest cities in England. Indeed, for those seeking Head of Employee Relations vacancies, Coventry will have a variety of employers to consider.

The history of the city goes back to a Bronze Age community that was settled by the Romans in the first century. By the 1500s, Coventry was at the centre of the cloth and textile trade and during the Middle Ages, it was one of the most influential locations in England.

As time passed, Coventry became known for manufacturing fine watches and clocks, while other technological innovations, such as the safety bicycle in the late 1800s, paved the way for the city to become one of the leading areas for car manufacture in the early 20th century.

During the same period, the city manufactured an array of other products, ranging from machine tools and aerospace components to electronics, telecoms equipment and man-made fibres.

Today, the economy in Coventry relies on finance, business services, logistics and leisure, more than on manufacturing. However, a number of car factories can still be found within city limits, such as LTI, the company that manufactures London's iconic black cabs, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Peugeot. Meggitt Aircraft, a company that makes braking systems for the aerospace industry, is also located in Coventry.

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Find Head of Employee Relations Jobs with Cast UK

In a changing business landscape, it’s more vital than ever to have employees working with management to maintain profitability, and that’s why many companies are looking to hire specialist employee relationship managers. If you have experience that you could bring to this role, call Cast UK today on 0333 121 3345.

Cast UK is a recruitment consultancy that deals solely with management and executive level posts. We build relationships with companies so clients know they can rely on us to find them the best candidates for their management roles. In turn, we point candidates to the companies that are searching for people to fill their management vacancies. It’s a win-win situation, and employee relations specialists know what that feels like.

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