Employee Relations Manager
Fanatics
At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
Role Overview
This is a key role within the Fanatics International HR Team, supporting the transition to a Centre of Excellence (COE) Employee Relations Model. As Employee Relations Manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and embedding a consistent, scalable, and best-in-class ER framework, predominantly focused on the UK, while also supporting and leveraging across our international markets in France, Germany, and Australia. Reporting directly to the HR Director, you will work closely with HR Business Partnering teams, Legal, and senior stakeholders across Fanatics Commerce. You will lead on complex ER case management, policy development, TUPE, and compliance, including supporting preparation for upcoming changes under the UK Employment Rights Bill. This role offers a unique opportunity to operate in high-growth environment, supporting a diverse workforce across Retail, eCommerce, Operations, and Corporate functions; including our expanding international footprint and strategic partnerships.
We are looking for a true partner to the business, someone who is passionate about building strong, credible relationships with key stakeholders and influencing at all levels. This role requires a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with a genuine desire to enhance the employee experience and drive meaningful impact.
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
How you will make an impact:
- Lead and manage complex Employee Relations cases across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring risk is mitigated and outcomes are fair, consistent, and legally compliant.
- Support the transition to a COE ER Model, embedding clear processes, governance, and best practice across Fanatics International.
- Partner closely with HRBPs, Legal, and business leaders to provide expert guidance on ER matters, including performance, conduct, absence, and organisational change.
- Drive consistency in ER practices across the UK, France, Germany, and Australia, navigating local legislation and cultural nuances.
- Support and deliver policy development in partnership with Global Employment Counsel across international markets, ensuring alignment with business objectives, local legislation, and best practice
- Develop and embed best-in-class playbooks, frameworks, and processes to drive consistency, elevate manager capability, and enhance the overall employee experienceCreate and implement ER frameworks, toolkits, and playbooks (e.g. PIPs, investigations, absence management) to
upskill managers and HR teams. - Lead on governance and documentation standards, ensuring audit readiness and clear reporting across ER activity.
- Work in close partnership with the HR Director and Commercial teams to support and deliver change programmes, including restructures, consultations, and TUPE processes.
- Partner closely with HRBPs and stakeholders across Retail, Operations, eCommerce, and Corporate functions to drive commercially sound and pragmatic people decisions.
- Analyse ER data to identify trends and insights, enabling proactive interventions and continuous improvement across the business.
What you bring to the team:
- Significant experience in Employee Relations within a fast-paced, multi-site or retail/eCommerce environment.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Employment Law, with exposure to European jurisdictions (France, Germany) highly desirable
- Experience managing complex ER casework end-to-end, including disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, and redundancy processes.
- Proven ability to operate within or help build a COE model, driving consistency, governance, and scalability.
- Experience developing and embedding ER playbooks, frameworks, and toolkits to elevate capability across the business.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility at senior levels.
- Experience partnering with Employment Counsel to ensure legal alignment and to upskill and educate managers on ER best practice.
- Background as an HRBP or strong understanding of HRBP partnership, with the ability to work collaboratively to deliver aligned people solutions.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk, employee experience, and business outcomes.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities across different countries, functions, and employee populations.
- High attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- Confident communicator, comfortable navigating sensitive and complex situations with professionalism and empathy.
- Passion for elevating and enhancing the employee experience across the full employee lifecycle, with experience operating within a COE model and partnering closely with TA, TD, Payroll, Benefits, and key internal stakeholders.
Where you will work and what’s required:
Full-Time position based at our Manchester HQ (New Islington).
Hybrid Working Model.
International scope supporting Fanatics Commerce across multiple regions, with opportunities for business travel
What’s in it for you:
Culture:
Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to
relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.
Benefits:
At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life; as such we offer a range of competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate. Specific details regarding the benefits package applicable to your location will be shared and discussed during the interview process