HR Consultant - Industrial Relations - Reading, Berkshire in Barkham

We're recruiting an experienced HR Consultant (Industrial Relations) to partner with leaders and Trade Union representatives, connecting business priorities with our People strategy and strengthening our Trade Union Partnership. You'll shape and deliver effective people interventions, using insight into our workforce and culture to help achieve business objectives. You'll also ensure a consistent, fair and robust approach to union negotiations, consultations and queries.

The role combines hands-on coordination with specialist advice and coaching for people managers, ensuring transparent, legally compliant union engagement. You'll lead TU-focused projects and work closely with HR centres of expertise and HR partners. Strong technical knowledge of HR and industrial relations legislation and practice is essential. You'll proactively build trusted relationships with key stakeholders to deliver positive, constructive outcomes.

What you will be doing as HR Consultant - Industrial Relations:

• Designing and delivering Trade Union related IR interventions and strategies.
• Leading on IR areas, providing a bespoke consultancy service to leaders and other HR departments.
• Handling escalated in-depth and complex queries.
• Analysing and interpreting research data to inform IR strategy and approach.
• Building trusted relationships, acting as a confidant and forming alliances with internal/external stakeholders.
• Ensuring business leaders understand and are engaged with IR activities.
• Working flexibly and collaboratively across business and HR functions to ensure effective planning and delivery.
• Identifying ways to work with resistance and complex problems.
• Leading timely and efficient delivery of planned IR programmes into the organisation by communicating programme intent and coaching business leaders to assure delivery/support outcomes.

Working Pattern: Hybrid, Reading with some travel to other sites.

What you should bring to the role:

• Proven hands-on experience of developing/deploying an industrial relations strategy which positively impacts the business and the way people work.
• Solid experience working with heavily unionised organisations.
• Expertise in IR policy and procedures including detailed and up-to-date knowledge of legislative requirements.
• Able to manage the employment legal system, and prepare for and manage cases/TU disputes.
• The ability to drive effective working relationships with the TU partnership through successful consultation and negotiation to drive positive change in the business.
• Be able to understand and speak the 'language of the business', be business savvy, and how to translate the organisation plan into an IR plan by being solutions focused.
• Excellent expertise of shaping and driving delivery of successful change and transformation processes.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary of up to 75,000 per annum.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (Plus bank holidays).
• Contributory pension - Maximum of 12% - 2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.

We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It's a big job, and we've got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

We're committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that's extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We're here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It's also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.