At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee relations and develop innovative social strategies for Airbus.
- Company: Join Airbus, a leader in aerospace with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, health insurance, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of employee relations.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in employee relations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: Eligibility to gain UK SC Security Clearance
TRAVEL REQUIRED: Some travel within UK
LOCATION: Preferably Broughton based but could be based in Filton
TYPE: Full time
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options, car leasing scheme, free onsite parking, tax-free technology scheme, shopping discounts and much more
- Work / Life Balance: 35 hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off, option to buy/sell holiday
- Personal Development: Personalised development plan and unlimited access to 10,000+ E-learning courses, internal mobility including international opportunities
- Health & Wellbeing: Bupa health insurance (including assisted fertility treatments and gender dysphoria & reassignment support), wellbeing benefits (including 24/7 online GP and mental health support), discounted family health / dental insurance / eye tests, cycle-to-work scheme, on-site canteen and coffee shop, lunchtime yoga / meditation
- Family and Caregiving: Life assurance, enhanced pay for parental leave (23 weeks at 100% pay), adoption / shared parental / caregiving leave, purpose built maternity rooms on site
- Inclusive Environment: Wellbeing room, Multi-faith room, Employee Representative Groups (Gender, LGBTQ+, International, Generational, Disability, Social & Cultural Diversity, Neurodiversity)
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a new Head of Social Policy & Industrial Relations (SPIR) for Airbus Commercial Aircraft in the UK. This is an exciting time to lead the Airbus UK Commercial Aircraft SPIR team. As the successful candidate you will lead the social strategy for the company in the UK, fostering simplification and innovative solutions to our activities and ways of working. You will contribute to maintaining a good social climate and develop trustful, constructive relationships with key trade union representatives.
Providing strategic and operational leadership to the SPIR team, you will promote team performance and visibility through anticipation, communication, transparency, best practice sharing and external benchmarking. You will also lead and influence change as part of the UK HR leadership team. The role reports directly to the UK HR Director for Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
As the Head of SPIR, you are the architect of our social roadmap. Your focus will be divided between high-level strategy and operational leadership, ensuring our workforce relations are strong and collaborative.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Roadmap: Define and execute a social strategy that ensures long-term industrial stability while maintaining the operational agility required for Airbus Operations Ltd.
- Industrial Relations: Lead negotiations and consultations with national Trade Unions and employee representatives, fostering a constructive partnership approach.
- Legislative Leadership: Proactively monitor emerging employment legislation, integrating new legal requirements into our framework while balancing compliance with operational flexibility.
- Policy & Governance: Develop and maintain Airbus UK HR policies, ensuring they reflect current best practices in inclusion, equality, and diversity.
- Transnational Collaboration: Contribute to the broader SPIR transnational strategy in coordination with the Transnational Head of Employee Relations.
- Stakeholder Management: Represent Airbus before external bodies, including government agencies and employer associations, and lead the UK Consultative Forum.
- Operational Support: Provide pragmatic solutions for complex employee relations issues, supporting HR Business Partners and operational managers in resolving both collective and individual disputes.
Who You Are: You are a resilient leader who thrives in complex, unionized environments. You possess the rare ability to challenge the "status quo" while maintaining deep professional respect across all levels of an organization.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Proven Track Record: Extensive experience managing complex employee relations and large-scale change management programmes within a unionized landscape.
- Subject Matter Expertise: Deep, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and a sophisticated understanding of HR best practices.
- Leadership: A natural ability to lead, motivate, and develop multi-site teams, operating with integrity and setting high ethical standards.
- Analytical Rigor: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to provide pragmatic advice on ambiguous or complex topics.
- Influence: Exceptional communication and negotiation skills (English at negotiation level), with a focus on a partnership-driven approach.
- Lean Mindset: Experience in adopting lean methodologies to eliminate non-value-added tasks and drive efficiency.
Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need and we'll always do our best to accommodate your request. Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments for the selection process - you can share this with your Talent Acquisition Partner if you are invited to interview. Examples may include (but not exclusive to) accessible facilities; auxiliary aids; room layout, etc. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Airbus UK will offer an interview to any applicant that considers themselves to have a disability or long-term condition under the Equality Act 2010 and meets the minimum criteria of the role (as set out in the job advert). To 'opt in', just select the option during your application submission and your application will be considered accordingly.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.
At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.
Airbus - Head of Employee Relations in Chester employer: Airbus
Airbus is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Broughton or Filton that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a competitive salary, extensive benefits including flexible working hours, personalised development plans, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Airbus fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the aerospace industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Airbus - Head of Employee Relations in Chester
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Airbus!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Airbus.
We think you need these skills to ace Airbus - Head of Employee Relations in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Airbus. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Airbus and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Airbus. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Airbus's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Airbus.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Airbus will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Airbus and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
