At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead industrial relations and HR policy to enhance colleague experience.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement savings and income.
- Benefits: Up to £100k salary, 38 days leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for part-time and job-share arrangements.
- Why this job: Shape employee representation and influence key colleague matters in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in industrial relations and strong partnership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Head of IR & Policy role to lead industrial relations, employee representation and HR policy to join our Colleague Experience & HR Operations team. If you are someone with experience or interest in these areas, this is a fantastic opportunity to shape, evolve and embed a sustainable employee representation framework.
Where you will build constructive relationships and provide clear direction on complex colleague matters and help influence a key component of our colleague offering.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Hybrid. This is a hybrid role, travel expected to support face to face time with the team, most likely in Edinburgh, Birmingham or London.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 23rd November 2026
Salary and benefits: Salary of up to £100k depending on level of experience, plus an indicative bonus range of 30-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, up to 12% employer pension contribution, income protection, 3 x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
Life today is increasingly complicated, uncertain and unpredictable. People move through different careers, face unexpected moments and navigate important choices. We offer our colleagues flexibility, trust and benefits that work for whatever life brings. In return we expect curiosity, connection, accountability and high standards. We make room for what matters - so you can bring your best, every day.
The role: As part of our Colleague Experience & HR Operations Leadership team, you will shape our approach to industrial relations, colleague representation and HR policies. Putting partnership at the heart of how we work. You will build trusted relationships with colleague representatives and senior leaders, strengthening colleague voice and constructive dialogue to support our business ambitions.
You will own our policy strategy, ensuring our employment policies are market leading, clear and practical and importantly that they reflect our culture and evolve with business needs and changes in legislation. Working collaboratively across the business, you will connect policy and colleague representation to our wider strategy.
You will lead strategic collective consultation and complex collective matters, bringing stakeholders together to work through challenges and achieve balanced, timely outcomes. To do this you will provide strategic direction, sound governance and constructive challenge which balances business priorities and colleague outcomes.
What are we looking for?
- An inclusive and collaborative leader who brings clarity to ambiguity, leads through others, taking shared accountability for business and colleague outcomes.
- Strong partnership and influencing experience where you can demonstrate the ability to build trusted relationships which enable constructive challenge with the ability to reach a clear conclusion/outcome.
- Strong track record or experience in industrial relations, colleague representation and employment policy, with the ability to translate business priorities and legislative developments into a clear, forward-looking strategy.
- Someone with a track record of turning strategy into practical action, engaging with a breadth of internal and external stakeholders to achieve business outcomes.
- Proven ability to take complex and highly confidential matters and shape clear and practical deliverables, by using insight, feedback and experience to create focus and continual improvement.
- Strong experience of providing trusted advice on complex and sensitive matters, underpinned by a strength of experience in industrial relations or employee representation.
Desirable:
- Experience within Financial Services or another highly regulated environment.
- Experience of working within a unionised environment and engaging with trade unions.
We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more about working at Standard Life.
Head of IR & Policy in London employer: Standard Life
Standard Life is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant City of Westminster, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, including hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies like Azure, while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises work-life balance and professional development. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering impactful solutions in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IR & Policy in London
✨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 Standard Life!
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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 Standard Life.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IR & Policy in London
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 Standard Life. 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 Standard Life 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 Standard Life. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Standard Life'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 Standard Life
✨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 Standard Life.
✨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 Standard Life 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 Standard Life and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
