OR120973 – ER Lead – Trade Union Relations (Grade O) – Interims

London Borough of Tower Hamlets; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 88,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking an experienced Employee Relations lead to steer trade union negotiations and complex ER cases within a local government context. You will advise senior managers, support organisational change and develop robust ER processes to ensure compliant, fair consultation.

Strong collaboration with legal teams and unions is essential. You will influence outcomes in a politically sensitive environment, managing risks and driving improvements across employee relations

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading and managing trade union relationships.
• Extensive employee relations or industrial relations experience.
• Experience working within local government or a large public-sector organisation.
• Strong understanding of employment law, trade union legislation and collective consultation.
• Experience leading formal trade union negotiations and consultation processes.
• Experience managing complex and high‑profile employee relations cases.
• Proven ability to advise senior management on sensitive workforce matters.
• Experience supporting organisational restructuring and transformation.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and conflict‑resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead meetings and negotiations with trade union representatives.
• Advise senior managers and HR teams on employee relations matters.
• Support organisational restructures, transformation and consultation programmes.
• Develop ER procedures, workflows and standard operating processes.
• Work with legal teams to resolve sensitive workforce issues.
• Monitor employee relations risks and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build positive relationships with trade unions and senior stakeholders.

Skills

Trade Union Negotiation

Employee & Industrial Relations

Employment Law

Organisational Change

Conflict Resolution

Stakeholder Management

ER Strategy & Improvement

Risk Management

Communication & Influencing

Political Awareness

Job description

Work Pattern: 2 to 3 days a week in the office, 35 hours per week

PAYE Pay Rate: £550.00 per day

Main Purpose of the Role

To lead and improve employee and industrial relations across Tower Hamlets Council, with a particular focus on managing trade union relationships, negotiations and resolving long-standing disputes.

The role will provide expert ER advice, lead complex employee relations cases, support organisational change and ensure consultation and negotiations are handled fairly, consistently and in line with employment legislation, council policies and ACAS guidance.

Typical Day Overview

• Leading meetings and negotiations with trade union representatives.
• Managing and resolving complex employee relations disputes.
• Advising senior managers and HR teams on employee relations matters.
• Supporting organisational restructures, transformation and consultation programmes.
• Developing ER procedures, workflows and standard operating processes.
• Working with legal teams to resolve sensitive workforce issues.
• Monitoring employee relations risks and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Building positive relationships with trade unions and senior stakeholders.

Key Skills & Responsibilities

• Trade Union Negotiation – Extensive experience negotiating with trade unions and resolving disputes.
• Employee & Industrial Relations – Strong experience managing complex ER cases within large organisations.
• Employment Law – Strong knowledge of employment legislation, ACAS codes and collective consultation.
• Organisational Change – Experience supporting restructures, workforce transformation and formal consultation.
• Conflict Resolution – Ability to manage challenging situations and reach practical solutions.
• Stakeholder Management – Confident working with senior leaders, HR teams, legal representatives and trade unions.
• ER Strategy & Improvement – Developing policies, procedures, workflows and consistent ER processes.
• Risk Management – Identifying and managing employee relations and industrial relations risks.
• Communication & Influencing – Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Political Awareness – Ability to operate confidently in sensitive and politically complex environments.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• Significant experience leading and managing trade union relationships.
• Proven track record as a trade union negotiator, particularly resolving disputes and reaching agreements.
• Extensive employee relations or industrial relations experience.
• Experience working within local government or a large public-sector organisation.
• Strong understanding of employment law, trade union legislation and collective consultation.
• Experience leading formal trade union negotiations and consultation processes.
• Experience managing complex and high‑profile employee relations cases.
• Proven ability to advise senior management on sensitive workforce matters.
• Experience supporting organisational restructuring and transformation.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing and conflict‑resolution skills.