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My Client is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Industrial Relations to lead and manage the company's industrial relations strategy. This role is crucial for developing and maintaining positive relationships with recognised trade unions and other representative bodies. As a key member of the senior HR team, the Head of Industrial Relations will play a pivotal role in setting strategies for trade union engagement and advising the board on achieving the wider people agenda in a rapidly evolving industrial relations landscape.
Purpose of the Role:
- Strategic Leadership and Policy Development: Develop and implement an industrial relations strategy that aligns with the organisation’s goals, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and best practices.
- Union Relations and Recognition Agreements: Serve as the main point of contact for all union interactions, overseeing the negotiation of collective bargaining and recognition agreements.
- Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management: Manage industrial disputes through negotiation, mediation, and other conflict resolution strategies.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all relevant labour laws and employment standards, conducting regular audits and developing risk mitigation strategies.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide guidance and training to build industrial relations capabilities within the business, collaborating closely with HR business partners and other stakeholders.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience: Extensive experience in industrial relations or labour relations, ideally within a complex, multi-site, unionized environment.
- Leadership: Proven track record of leading industrial relations strategy at a senior level.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Skilled in conflict resolution and fostering positive relations.
- Legal / Knowledge: Deep understanding of employment and labour law.
- Training & Mentoring: Ability to support colleagues in the conduct of good industrial relations.
- Commercial Awareness: Knowledge to develop reward strategies and understand their impact.
- Organisational: Excellent organisational and project management skills.
