Head of ER and Industrial Relations, People Directorate in London

The People Directorate is here to shape the Bank's people strategy, provide information, help and advice to colleagues and line managers to thrive in their roles, and to deliver important people services across the Bank. The Directorate is made up of three divisions: People Strategy and Insights, People Advisory Services and Operations, and Reward. Our work helps the Bank to attract, identify, develop, nurture, retain and motivate the people we need to fulfil our mission.

People Advisory Services is a strategic and advisory function responsible for leading the Bank's commercially focused employee relations agenda, including organisational change, union partnership, workplace adjustments, absence risk management, and the development of modern people policies aligned with UK legislation. The role requires expert leadership of complex people matters, constructive engagement with the recognised trade union and employee representatives, and oversight of consultation, negotiation and dispute resolution, while using evidence, technology, people development, and continuous improvement to strengthen critical people processes and enhance employee experience.

Senior Manager Responsibilities

• Lead the evolution of the industrial relations strategy, providing credible, pragmatic employee relations leadership aligned to the Bank's strategic ambitions.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality, commercially focused employee relations and people advisory services, including absence matters, workplace adjustments, and mediation, across a complex operational environment.
• Lead the team to ensure fair, consistent, inclusive and legally compliant people policies, practices, processes and investigations, working with key partners to maintain quality and respond to legislative and technological change.
• Lead a high-performing, insight-led People Advisory team, using data, technology, people development, and a focus on operational excellence to improve employee and line manager experience.
• Help shape an inclusive leadership environment that supports organisational change, cultural transformation and the evolution of performance management to strengthen a high-performance culture.
• Maintain rigour over third-party supplier relationships to ensure high-quality service delivery and strong value for money in line with the Bank's responsibilities.
• Oversee systems and processes to manage the team's caseload and direct the management of complex and sensitive cases using a risk-based approach.
• Ensure high-quality and timely management of all employee relations matters, including grievances, disciplinaries, mediation, senior-level cases and organisational change programmes.
• Apply expert judgment to embed high-quality, data-driven insight into people processes and strengthen data-informed decision-making across leadership and management.
• Set and deliver the Bank's People Advisory strategy aligned to People and organisational priorities.
• Identify trends to inform policy, processes and cultural developments.
• Develop and evolve the partnership with trade union partners.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on complex and sensitive people matters.
• Shape policy and practice ensuring fairness, consistency and compliance.
• Lead the management of employment related change.
• Lead complex ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, performance, etc.) ensuring they are handled efficiently, proportionately and in line with policy and legal requirements.
• Maintain strong governance, risk management and reporting across ER activity.
• Draft and present the annual ER Report to the Bank's Audit and Risk Committee.
• Lead, develop and inspire the People Advisory team to deliver a high-quality, responsive service.
• Build organisational capability by equipping leaders to manage people issues confidently.
• Promote early intervention and proactive approaches to managing employee relations and industrial relations.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the Bank and lead engagement with recognised trade unions.
• Influence decision-making at senior levels on people-related risks and opportunities.
• Use data and insight to identify trends, risks and opportunities across the organisation; drive continuous improvement in people processes, policies and ways of working.
• Contribute to wider People Directorate priorities, including diversity, inclusion and equity.
• Support the Head of Division in crisis management, delivering recommendations and counsel to senior leadership on internal and external headwind issues in a timely way.
• Manage the People Advisory budget and ensure effective use of resources.
• Drive the development and embedding of advanced Oracle products, tools and dashboards within the team.

Role Requirements

• Significant experience leading employee relations and industrial relations in a complex organisation.
• Strong experience working with trade unions, employee representatives and formal consultation processes.
• Proven ability to lead complex and reputationally sensitive people matters at senior level.
• Experience of using technology to run an efficient employee relations function.
• Proven experience leading, developing and managing diverse teams, while prioritising delivery across a broad portfolio of work.
• Demonstrable experience shaping fair, consistent and legally compliant people policies, practices and processes, with a strong understanding of inclusion and external developments.
• Experience using data, insight and continuous improvement to strengthen people services, decision-making and employee experience.
• Strong judgement and the ability to balance risk, fairness and organisational priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to advise, influence and tailor messages for very senior audiences.
• Able to provide thought leadership on People Advisory and People data to challenge constructively, shape strategic thinking and create synergies across the Bank.
• Leads proactively and applies strong analytical skills, using quantitative and qualitative data to solve problems, improve processes and deliver value.
• Able to lead diverse teams and stakeholders through uncertainty, change and transformation with clarity and resilience.
• Strong ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects, cases and resources to deliver outcomes on time and with impact.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills, including empathy, active listening and conflict resolution, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues and build consensus.
• Proven experience delivering inclusively through others, setting a clear vision and creating an outcome-focused environment with effective allocation of skills and resources.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality and professionalism, with sound judgment when handling sensitive people matters and data.

Number of direct reports: Between 3 to 5.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.

Salary and Benefits Information

This role offers a salary of: Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.

A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.

An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.

26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.

Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates. As a UK Visas and Immigration approved sponsor, the Bank has a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance; eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.