Employee Relations Manager - Pay Talks & Negotiations

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for an Employee Relations Lead to spearhead crucial union negotiations and pay discussions. This pivotal role offers the chance to influence IR strategy in a complex environment while receiving full senior leadership support. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in unionised sectors and UK employment law, thriving in high-stakes settings. With autonomy to lead and the opportunity to make a significant impact, this is an exciting chance to drive meaningful outcomes for both management and employees.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in union negotiations and pay talks.
• Background in unionised sectors like transport or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead union negotiations and pay discussions from start to finish.
• Provide legal guidance on employment law matters.

Skills

Union Negotiation

Pay Negotiation

UK Employment Law

Collective Bargaining

Job description

Job Description

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

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

Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

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

Start Date: Mid-May 2025

Join a 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 the course of 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.

Ideal Candidate Profile

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 pay negotiation background with union.

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.

Key Dates

• 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 -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.