Industrial Relations Lead (9 Month FTC) - Hybrid (3 days WFH)
This role will play a key part in shaping and delivering our client’s approach to trade union engagement, and legislative readiness. Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role will help establish the frameworks, governance, insight and capability required to respond confidently and consistently to an evolving trade union landscape.
You will provide recommendations on trade union engagement approach, governance, internal positions, and briefing materials. As well as escalating sensitive, legal, strategic or high-risk matters through agreed governance routes for senior decision-making.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and delivery of our trade union engagement strategy, including preparation for initial and future engagement with trade unions.
- Develop clear internal positions, objectives, desired outcomes, areas of flexibility and red lines ahead of any trade union discussions.
- Create practical briefing materials, meeting packs and guidance to equip senior leaders and attendees for effective trade union engagement.
- Coordinate governance arrangements, including a regular trade union working group, clear escalation routes and aligned decision-making processes.
- Lead stakeholder planning and engagement across the business and senior leadership forums, ensuring leaders are informed, prepared and aligned.
- Gather and analyse external market intelligence, translating insight into practical recommendations.
- Support readiness for legislative changes, including new trade union access provisions, by developing practical frameworks, processes and scenario plans.
- Develop monitoring and early warning indicators to identify emerging trade union activity, colleague sentiment trends, local issues and external developments.
- Identify capability-building needs and training to build confidence in trade union engagement, negotiation and relationship management.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Strong industrial relations experience, ideally gained in a large, complex, multi-site organisation.
- Good understanding of trade union engagement, collective consultation, colleague voice and the UK employment relations landscape.
- Ability to interpret legal, regulatory and external developments and translate them into clear, practical business actions.
- Confident stakeholder manager, able to work with senior leaders, HR teams and cross-business groups with credibility and discretion.
- Strong planning and delivery skills, with the ability to create structure, governance and momentum in an emerging area of work.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear briefing packs, stakeholder updates, leader guidance and decision papers.
- Commercially aware and pragmatic, with sound judgement and an ability to balance legal, cultural, colleague and business considerations.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity, managing sensitive topics and maintaining confidentiality.
- Collaborative, resilient and proactive, with the confidence to influence constructively and build trusted relationships.
