Senior Industrial Relations Manager

H-E Parts; City Of London; Remote; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading railway technology company is seeking a Senior Industrial Relations Manager to join its HR team. The role involves developing IR strategies, working closely with internal teams and Trade Unions, and ensuring compliance with employment law. Ideal candidates will have strong industrial relations experience within regulated industries and a data-driven approach. This position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a highly regulated industry required.
• Experience working with Unions and change management essential.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills necessary.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organisation’s Industrial Relations strategy.
• Provide expert advice on collective and local agreements.
• Lead negotiations with business leaders and unions.

Skills

Strong experience in industrial relations

Negotiation skills

Understanding of UK employment law

Data-driven analysis

Education

CIPD qualification or equivalent

Background/qualification in employment law

Job description

Location: Remote - London, United Kingdom

Job ID: R0100845

Date Posted: 2025-07-24

Company Name: HITACHI RAIL LIMITED

Profession (Job Category): Other

Job Schedule: Full time

Remote: No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description

Job title: Senior Industrial Relations Manager

Location: Home based with regular national travel

Salary: £85,000 - £95,000K DOE

Your new role

Here at Hitachi Rail, we have a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Industrial Relations Manager to join our fantastic HR team. This will be a standalone role where we are keen to speak with vastly experienced, proactive Industrial Relations professionals who have practical experience dealing with complex IR matters, while looking to enhance and foster collaborative working relationships with internal stakeholders and Trade Unions alike.

As the Senior Industrial Relations Manager, you will play a pivotal role ensuring the organisation is proactive, maintaining and pushing ahead of trends and delivering on industrial relations that is attuned to the needs of our workforce.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and lead the organisation’s Industrial Relations strategy in alignment with overall HR and business objectives
• Provide expert advice as the lead advisor to the business on collective and local agreements and consultations
• Provide the framework and set the standards for IR for HR Business Partners and Managers
• Upskill managers on how to effectively manage employee/industrial relations
• Provide technical expertise and advice to wider HR and the business
• Build and maintain strong engagement / relationships with the Unions on a formal and informal basis
• Lead negotiations with the business leaders and unions on pay, working conditions, collective agreements and policy
• Work with the Unions to evolve relationships and facilitate organisational change and improvements
• Ensure legal compliance across all facets of Industrial Relations and monitor changes in employment law and advise the business accordingly
• Lead dispute avoidance and resolution strategies, including mediation and arbitration where necessary
• Provide expertise and advice to change projects
• Support HR with ongoing transformation projects

About you

• Strong experience working in a similar role, ideally within a highly regulated industry.
• Experience of working with Unions including leading on negotiation and change management.
• Prior experience of driving a modern approach to trade union involvement.
• A good understanding of UK employment and Trade Union Legislation.
• A data driven approach to analyse, interpret and present information.
• Experience in working in a matrix and complex industrial relations environment.
• A background/qualification in employment law is highly preferable.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent (desirable).

What we offer

We value the importance of all of our employees; if you would like to join our fantastic organisation you could be entitled to:

• Competitive salary
• Annual Performance bonus paid on discretionary basis
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident insurance
• Group Income protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail