Industrial Relations Lead

MCS Group; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency based in Belfast seeks an experienced Industrial Relations Lead. You will develop and implement the IR strategy while leading negotiations and managing employee relations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in industrial relations, expertise in pay negotiations, and a solid understanding of NI employment law. The role offers a competitive salary, bonuses, and flexible working options.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus

Hybrid and flexible working

Enhanced pension

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an industrial relations or ER leadership position within a unionised environment.
• Strong understanding of NI employment law, case law, and best practice in ER/IR.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to design and implement an effective IR strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Industrial Relations (IR) strategy.
• Lead pay negotiations and collective bargaining with trade unions.
• Coach and support managers to handle ER matters.

Skills

Industrial relations expertise

Pay negotiations

ER trends analysis

Change management

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Overview

Industrial Relations Lead - Permanent - Belfast

Are you an experienced Industrial Relations professional who thrives on shaping strategy, leading negotiations, and resolving complex issues? My client is looking for an Industrial Relations Lead to play a critical role in driving their employee relations agenda and fostering a positive, collaborative workplace culture.

The main responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the organisation's Industrial Relations (IR) strategy, aligning it with business goals and future workforce needs.
• Lead pay negotiations and collective bargaining with trade unions and employee representatives, ensuring fair and commercially sound outcomes.
• Take ownership of appeals and complex ER cases, providing expert resolution and ensuring consistency with policy and legislation.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all matters relating to IR and ER, including risk management and business continuity planning.
• Partner with business leaders to design and implement change management programmes that support organisational transformation.
• Build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with trade unions, and key internal stakeholders.
• Represent the business in business negotiations, mediation, and dispute resolution processes.
• Analyse ER trends and data to anticipate challenges and proactively address potential issues.
• Coach and support managers to build confidence in handling ER matters at a local level.

The ideal candidate

• Significant experience in an industrial relations or ER leadership position within a unionised environment.
• Proven expertise in pay negotiations and appeals handling.
• Strong understanding of NI employment law, case law, and best practice in ER/IR.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to design and implement an effective IR strategy.
• Experience delivering change management initiatives and supporting major organisational change.

What's on offer

• Competitive base salary (dependent on experience).
• Bonus.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Enhanced pension.

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Rebekah Mulligan, Senior HR Recruitment Consultant at MCS Group on 02896 205148
Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs www.mcsgroup.jobs

MCS Group - Proud CIPD NI HR Awards Headline Sponsor 2025

MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in NI to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, if you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate the request.