Employee Relations Lead – Trade Union Negotiator

About the role

Positive Employment is recruiting an interim Employee Relations Lead for a local government client in East London. The role focuses on negotiating and consulting with trade union representatives, resolving complex industrial relations matters and supporting organisational change.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain professional relationships with recognised trade unions.
• Lead and coordinate formal consultation and negotiation activities across the organisation.
• Create and implement employee‑relations workflows, SOPs and quality‑assurance processes.
• Resolve complex employee‑relations cases, industrial disputes and workforce issues promptly.
• Provide expert advice during major change, transformation and restructuring programmes.
• Work with senior leaders to develop and deliver effective employee and industrial‑relations strategies.
• Ensure compliance with collective consultation requirements, employment legislation, organisational policies and the ACAS Code of Practice.
• Identify organisational risks and opportunities related to workforce and trade‑union relations.

Required profile

• Proven experience as an Employee Relations Lead or similar role within local government.
• Deep specialist knowledge of trade‑union negotiation and consultation.
• Ability to lead complex industrial‑relations matters and deliver evidence‑based solutions.
• Experience working collaboratively with services, senior leaders and legal colleagues.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation and ACAS guidelines.

Required skills

What we offer

• Temporary six‑month contract with the possibility of extension.
• Hybrid working model – 2 to 3 days in the office.
• Opportunity to influence high‑profile employee‑relations initiatives in the public sector.