At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employee relations and social strategy for Airbus in the UK.
- Company: Join Airbus, a leader in aerospace innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce relations and drive positive change.
- Qualifications: 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: Broughton or Filton (60% of your working week must be office based)
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, hybrid working, flexible working, 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.
HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU
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.
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.
Head of Employee Relations employer: Airbus
Airbus Operations Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With competitive financial rewards, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to innovative solutions in the aerospace industry. Located in Broughton or Filton, this role provides unique opportunities for collaboration and influence within a leading global organisation dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Employee Relations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Airbus. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Airbus’s values and recent projects, especially around employee relations and sustainability. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals. Remember, it’s not just about what you’ve done, but how it fits into their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In your discussions, highlight examples where you’ve successfully led teams or managed complex situations. Airbus is looking for someone who can navigate unionised environments, so share your stories of collaboration and negotiation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Employee Relations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Employee Relations role. Highlight your experience in managing complex employee relations and any relevant achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your leadership style and how you can contribute to fostering a positive social climate at Airbus.
Showcase Your Knowledge:Demonstrate your understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices in your application. This will show us that you’re not just a good fit, but that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and the latest HR best practices. Being well-versed in these areas will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to the role of Head of Employee Relations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams, especially in complex, unionised environments. Think about times when you've successfully navigated change management or fostered collaboration among diverse groups.
✨Be Ready for Negotiation Scenarios
Expect to discuss your approach to negotiations with trade unions and employee representatives. Prepare a few strategies or past experiences where you’ve successfully built constructive partnerships, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Demonstrate your interest in the company by asking thoughtful questions about their social strategy and how they handle employee relations challenges. This shows you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
