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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage relationships with unions, ensuring effective governance and compliance.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a company on a mission to become the most loved travel brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a supportive environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative team that values diversity and empowers you to make an impact.
- Qualifications: Strong background in Industrial Relations with excellent negotiation and relationship management skills required.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Details
Hours: 37.5, Monday to Friday
Location: Hybrid working 3 days a week in our VHQ, Crawley.
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Monday, 10th March 2025
In a nutshell
At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, and it’s our vision to become the most loved travel company. As we embark on the next exciting stage of our journey, we’re harnessing our spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation to challenge the status quo. If you’re ready to take your career to new heights, read on…
In this role as Head of Industrial Relations, you’ll be the key point of contact for managing relationships with unions recognised in Virgin Atlantic Airways (VAA), including Unite and BALPA, and their local representatives. You will play a crucial role in defining and executing our Industrial Relations strategy, ensuring effective governance structures, and coordinating the company’s response to new union engagements. Your responsibilities will include stakeholder management, negotiation of key initiatives, and ensuring compliance with industrial agreements and legislation.
Day to Day
- Lead and mentor internal teams as the go-to expert for industrial relations, proactively resolving issues and ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
- Develop and execute the Industrial Relations strategy, working closely with stakeholders in People Relations and leaders of large work groups.
- Coordinate and steer company negotiations for key initiatives, including pay and lifestyle agreements, and manage any failure to agree processes.
- Maintain strong relationships with union representatives, ensuring ways of working meet expectations and governance structures are in place.
- Stay up to date with industrial law and compliance, ensuring our practices reflect best practice in Industrial Relations management.
- Partner with various departments, including Flight Operations, Cabin Crew Management, and Communications, to ensure alignment and effective communication.
About You
Do you have a strong background in Industrial Relations combined with excellent negotiation and relationship management skills? Can you work independently while influencing stakeholders at all levels? Then this could be the role for you!
Alongside the above, we’re looking for the following:
- Excellent negotiation skills with experience in multi-faceted deals.
- Strong relationship management skills, quickly engaging key stakeholders and gaining trust.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders, including the leadership team.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to think across multiple work groups simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present clear and concise storytelling.
- Industry knowledge is advantageous but not essential.
Does the above sound like you? Then we’d love to hear from you!
Be Yourself
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds.
At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world – no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team at .
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Head of Industrial Relations: Virgin Atlantic employer: Manor Royal Business District
Contact Detail:
Manor Royal Business District Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Industrial Relations: Virgin Atlantic
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the key unions involved, such as Unite and BALPA. Understanding their priorities and concerns will help you engage more effectively during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to fostering strong relationships.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your negotiation skills by reviewing recent case studies or examples of successful negotiations in industrial relations. Being able to discuss these examples will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the field of industrial relations. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities at Virgin Atlantic.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and changes in industrial law and compliance. This knowledge will not only prepare you for discussions during the interview but also demonstrate your proactive approach to staying informed in your field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Industrial Relations: Virgin Atlantic
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Industrial Relations position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as negotiation and relationship management, to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your background in Industrial Relations. Provide specific examples of past experiences where you successfully managed stakeholder relationships or negotiated agreements, showcasing your leadership and communication skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a personalized cover letter that reflects your passion for the role and Virgin Atlantic's vision. Use clear and concise storytelling to demonstrate how your skills align with the company's goals and how you can contribute to their Industrial Relations strategy.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure that your application is polished and professional, as attention to detail is crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Manor Royal Business District
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations you've successfully led. Highlight your approach, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes to demonstrate your expertise in handling complex deals.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Research the key stakeholders you might interact with at Virgin Atlantic. During the interview, focus on how you can quickly engage and build trust with them, showcasing your relationship management skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've mentored teams or influenced multiple work groups. This will show your capability to lead in a dynamic environment.
✨Stay Informed on Industrial Relations
Familiarize yourself with current trends and legislation in industrial relations. Being able to discuss recent developments will reflect your commitment to best practices and your proactive approach to the role.
