Employee Relations Manager - Pay Talks & Negotiations

Practicus; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for an experienced Employee Relations Lead to oversee union negotiations and pay talks over a critical 12-month period. This pivotal role offers the chance to influence national-level industrial relations strategy while working in a highly unionised environment. With senior leadership backing, you will manage all aspects of employee consultation and collective bargaining, ensuring effective communication and strategic planning in a fast-paced setting. If you thrive under pressure and have a strong background in union negotiations, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading pay negotiations and union consultations.
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and redundancy procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead union negotiations and pay discussions from preparation to agreement.
• Provide legal guidance on employment law matters and build stakeholder credibility.

Skills

Union Negotiation

Pay Negotiation

UK Employment Law

Strategic Planning

Risk Analysis

Job description

Employee Relations Manager - Pay Talks & Negotiations

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Practicus. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Job Opportunity: Employee Relations & Pay Negotiations Lead (12-Month FTC)

Location: Hybrid (with increased in-person presence during key phases)

Salary: £75,000–£90,000 (flexible for the right candidate)

Join a National Organisation at a Crucial Time

A major UK-based organisation in a highly unionised, operationally complex environment is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Lead to take charge of union negotiations and pay talks over a critical 12-month period.

With the interim HR leadership focused on wider organisational priorities, this role will operate with full senior backing to own and lead all aspects of employee consultation and collective bargaining activity.

The Role: Key Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of union negotiations and pay discussions, from scoping and prep through to agreement and implementation.
• Act as the senior voice at the table, influencing union representatives and full-time officers directly.
• Drive strategic planning and risk analysis ahead of each negotiation phase, working closely with HR, Finance, and operational leadership.
• Provide legal and procedural guidance on TUPE, redundancy, and employment law matters.
• Build credibility with internal stakeholders, coaching them through complex IR landscapes.
• Adapt to fast-changing dynamics while holding a steady line in high-conflict, high-stakes settings.

Experience:

• Demonstrated success as the lead negotiator in pay talks and union consultations.
• Background in unionised sectors such as transport, manufacturing, logistics, or heavy industry.
• Working knowledge of UK employment law, redundancy procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Comfortable working with unions – Must have extensive experience in pay negotiation with union representatives.

Attributes:

• Assertive, composed, and credible under pressure.
• Hands-on and strategically minded, able to plan and execute independently.
• Strong communicator and relationship-builder — calm in conflict, clear in ambiguity.
• Not reliant on large team structures — thrives in lean, agile environments.
• Hiring Deadline: Within 4 weeks
• Onboarding: Late May
• First Pay Talks Launch: Early June

Why This Role?

While this is a fixed-term position, it’s a pivotal one — with the potential to influence national-level IR strategy and deliver meaningful outcomes for both management and employee groups. You’ll have full ownership of your brief, with senior leadership support and the autonomy to lead from the front.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Human Resources, Public Relations, and General Business

Industries

• Rail Transportation, Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage, Utilities