Senior Industrial Relations Manager

About the role

We are looking for a senior Industrial Relations professional to shape and deliver a modern employee‑voice strategy in a highly regulated, workforce‑centric organisation. Reporting to the senior HR leadership team, you will act as the subject‑matter expert on industrial relations, trade‑union engagement and workforce consultation, working closely with executive leaders and board members.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement a fit‑for‑purpose Industrial Relations strategy.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with employee representatives and trade‑union stakeholders.
• Serve as the first point of contact for all industrial relations matters.
• Create and embed an effective employee‑voice framework.
• Establish, develop and coach employee representative forums.
• Support executive leadership with workforce consultation and engagement activities.
• Lead trade‑union engagement, recognition discussions and workforce relations planning.
• Review and modernise people policies to foster a high‑trust, adult‑to‑adult culture.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on industrial relations risks, opportunities and best practice.
• Partner with HR, Communications, Legal and business leaders to drive positive employee relations outcomes.

Required profile

• Current experience as an Industrial Relations Manager, Employee Relations Manager, HR Business Partner with a strong IR focus, or a specialist IR professional.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and work with board‑level stakeholders.
• Strong credibility and relationship‑building skills with employee representatives and trade‑union bodies.
• Hands‑on practitioner comfortable shaping strategy and delivering practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and advisory skills.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary £70,000‑£95,000 per year.
• Hybrid working model (minimum three days on‑site).
• Excellent benefits package.
• Opportunity to influence strategy at executive and board level.