Industrial Relations Lead

AWE plc; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Pension scheme (9%–13%)

270 hours annual leave

Professional development funding

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

AWE plc seeks an experienced Industrial Relations Lead to shape and deliver IR strategy across the organisation. You will champion constructive trade union engagement, manage collective bargaining, and provide expert employment-law guidance.

The role is hybrid, based in Reading with 9-day fortnight and flexible working where possible. You'll work with senior HR and business leaders to minimise risk while supporting change across multiple sites, ensuring resolution of disputes and alignment with

Qualifications

• Significant industrial relations and employee relations experience in a large multisite, complex unionised organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of HR policies, procedures and employment legislation.
• Understanding of employment laws and HR regulations and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of the overall industrial relations and employee relations strategy.
• Develop and implement IR/ER policies within function.
• Advise on IR implications of business initiatives and interpret policies and legislation.
• Build relationships with senior leaders and trade union representatives to support business aims.
• Modernise existing agreements to meet business needs.

Skills

Industrial relations

Employee relations

Negotiation

Stakeholder influence

Trade unions

Policy interpretation

Communication

Job description

AWE is recruiting for an experienced Industrial Relations Lead to join the business.

Location: Located in Reading, with free onsite parking.

Package: Starting from £61,040 – £95,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working Pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day . This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week . We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, so please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working arrangement when you apply.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

We are seeking an experienced and influential Industrial Relations professional to join AWE in a specialist role. You will be used to spending 100% of your time shaping and delivering Industrial Relations strategy, and providing expert advice on collective industrial relations matters across the organisation.

Acting as AWE's subject matter expert for Industrial Relations, you will champion constructive and collaborative relationships with Trade Unions and employees, leading on collective bargaining, consultation, dispute resolution, and the practical application of employment and trade union legislation.

You will bring a proven track record of successfully leading Industrial Relations activity within a complex organisation, demonstrating credibility, resilience and sound judgement in complex industrial relations environments. You will possess deep knowledge of employment and trade union law, alongside substantial experience of negotiating with recognised Trade Unions, managing collective issues, and influencing outcomes on significant organisational matters.

If your career has been focused on Industrial Relations and you are looking for a role where IR is your sole professional focus, we would like to hear from you

In the role you will:

• Support the industrial relations aspects of the local, regional and national business objectives enabling the objectives to be achieved whilst minimising risk.
• Act as a change agent in supporting delivery of business objectives through developing a clear understanding of business strategy and close collaborative relationships with business-facing HR teams, senior business leaders and other specialist functions.
• Support the implementation of appropriate bargaining and consultation strategies and tactics to achieve business objectives.
• Manage the bargaining and consultation agenda at local and regional level and lead on the employee relations aspects of the agenda.
• Provide industrial relations support when disputes arise to ensure that the company’s interests are protected and appropriate resolution and/or risk mitigation approaches are adopted.

Responsibilities in the role include:

• Contributing to the development of the overall industrial relations and employee relations strategy of the company.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of industrial relations and employee relations policies within the functions.
• Advising on industrial relations implications of business initiatives and act as a centre of knowledge and interpretation on policies, procedures and legislation.
• Developing positive relationships with senior business leaders and senior trade union representatives to provide a platform for the achievement of business aims.
• Modernising existing agreements so that they are fit for purpose and enable business aims to be met.

We’d also like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Significant industrial relations and employee relations experience of a large multisite complex unionised organisation
• In depth knowledge of HR policies and procedures and employment legislation
• An understanding of employment laws and HR regulations and best practices.
• Broad experience of advising on the industrial relations and employee relations implications of large scale complex organisational changes (eg TUPE, Organisation re-design, redundancy programmes etc)
• Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence effectively at all levels in the organisation
• Proven track record of operating in a large complex unionised environment

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

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Important things you need to know:

• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.