Working Pattern and Location
Hybrid: Two to three days each week at 160 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BJ. Occasional evening or weekend working may be required with notice.
Job Overview
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is seeking an experienced Trade Union Relationship Manager to lead operational industrial relations and partnership working with recognised trade unions. Within HR and Organisational Development, you will coordinate collective consultation, manage trade union relationships and support workforce transformation across a complex local authority.
The successful applicant will advise senior managers on industrial relations risks, represent the Council in constructive negotiations, manage trade union officials and facility time arrangements, and oversee governance and reporting. This is a specialist senior management role requiring demonstrable experience working with multiple recognised unions, influencing stakeholders and leading consultation on organisational change.
Important – Please Read Carefully
Significant practical experience managing trade union relationships, collective consultation and industrial relations in a large, complex organisation is essential. This role is not a generalist HR administration post.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead relationships and industrial relations activity with recognised trade unions.
• Advise senior leaders on collective consultation, employment relations risks and workforce issues.
• Manage consultation on restructures, service redesign and organisational change.
• Support negotiations on collective agreements, terms and conditions, and employment policies.
• Identify and manage industrial disputes, escalating risks and facilitating early resolution.
• Manage trade union officials, performance and facility time arrangements.
• Coordinate consultation forums and maintain effective governance records.
• Prepare reports, management briefings and recommendations on industrial relations activity.
• Build productive relationships with employee representatives, managers and HR teams.
Essential Experience & Skills
• Significant experience working with multiple recognised trade unions in a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation affecting union representation and collective consultation.
• Direct experience managing formal consultation and industrial relations matters.
• Experience supporting restructures, workforce change and collective negotiations.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage sensitive disputes professionally.
• Experience managing staff performance and development.
• Experience preparing industrial relations reports and facilitating consultation meetings.
• Strong organisational, communication, negotiation and leadership abilities.
Additional Information
The post is politically restricted and requires a DBS check (level to be confirmed). Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Interviews are expected online.
Disclaimer
On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.
I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
Trade Union Relationship Manager in London employer: rated traders ltd Careers
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