Head of Employee Relations & Employee Experience

Location: Leeds (Hybrid – 2 days per week in office) Contract Type: Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week Salary: Up to £70,000 + annual bonus Hybrid Working: Office-based 2 days per week Travel: Regular travel across locations nationwide

Diamond Search Recruitment are delighted to partner with our client. "We are seeking a dynamic, values-led Head of Employee Relations & Employee Experience (ER & EX) to shape and lead a high-performing HR function that truly puts people at the heart of everything we do".

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, and working closely with the Head of Talent Acquisition & Development, you will play a critical role in delivering a consistent, positive, and purpose-driven employee journey across the organisation.

This is a senior leadership role within a complex, multi-site environment.

Key Responsibilities

HR Business Partnering

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Lead and develop a proactive, high-quality HR Business Partnering and ER function

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Provide pragmatic, solution-focused HR support aligned to operational and strategic needs

Employee Relations

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Oversee all employee relations activity, including complex and sensitive cases

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Ensure consistency, fairness, and legal compliance across all ER decisions

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Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and operational managers

Employee Experience & Engagement

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Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, and recognition

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Ensure a positive and consistent experience at every stage of the employee lifecycle

Governance, Compliance & Safeguarding

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Ensure HR operations meet employment law, Ofsted, and safeguarding requirements

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Maintain robust oversight of DBS, data integrity, and people compliance frameworks

Culture & Leadership

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Champion organisational values and promote a positive, inclusive culture

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Role model ethical, compassionate, and values-led leadership

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Foster strong collaboration across HR, leadership, and operational teams

About You

You are a credible, experienced HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment. You are equally comfortable shaping strategy and delivering hands-on support, with a genuine passion for creating workplaces where people feel supported, valued, and empowered.

Essential Experience & Skills

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Proven experience leading an HR Business Partnering or Employee Relations function

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Background within a multi-site or complex organisation

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Strong expertise in UK employment law and HR best practice

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Demonstrable experience managing complex employee relations cases

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Track record of driving employee engagement, wellbeing, or culture change

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Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

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CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent)

Desirable

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Experience within children’s services, education, or safeguarding-led environments

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Familiarity with trauma-informed or values-driven organisational cultures

Why Join Our Client?

Senior leadership role with real influence over culture and employee experience

Opportunity to make a meaningful impact

Values-led organisation committed to people, wellbeing, and development

Competitive salary up to £70,000, plus annual bonus

Hybrid working with flexibility and autonomy

Supportive, collaborative People Team with strong executive sponsorship

Start 2026 with an exciting new opportunity, working for an incredible organisation who really value their people!

Apply today!

Diamond Search Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency regarding this vacancy