Senior Industrial Relations Manager

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Rail in the UK seeks a Senior Industrial Relations Manager to shape employee and trade union relations, going beyond typical HR to influence business strategy and negotiations. You will build a robust IR framework and partner with leadership to ensure engagement and performance across the organisation.

As the IR expert, you will lead bargaining with unions, support major transformation programs, and coach leaders to strengthen the IR capability across the business.

Qualifications

• Extensive IR leadership experience in a unionised setting.
• Proven track record in collective bargaining and negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and statutory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop UK Industrial Relations strategy and framework.
• Lead collective bargaining and pay negotiations with Trade Unions.
• Support large-scale organisational change and transformation programs.
• Coach leaders and HR teams to strengthen IR capability.
• Manage complex industrial relations challenges and minimise risk.
• Partner with senior leaders and HR to align IR with business priorities.

Skills

IR strategy

Collective bargaining

Employee relations

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Rail/transport background

Job description

Location: Remote - London, United Kingdom

Job ID: R0146922

Date Posted: 2026-10-01

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

We're looking for an exceptional Senior Industrial Relations Manager to help shape the future of employee and trade union relations across our UK business. This is not a traditional HR role. This is a unique opportunity to influence business strategy, lead complex negotiations, support major transformation programmes, and build the industrial relations framework that will help power our future success.

The Opportunity

As our Industrial Relations subject matter expert, you will partner with senior leaders, HR teams and recognised Trade Unions to create constructive, forward-looking relationships that support both organisational performance and employee engagement.

• Developing and delivering our UK Industrial Relations strategy
• Building strong, trusted relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives
• Leading collective bargaining and pay negotiations
• Supporting large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes
• Managing complex industrial relations challenges and minimising business risk
• Coaching leaders and HR teams to strengthen industrial relations capability across the business

You'll play a key role in helping Hitachi Rail navigate a rapidly changing landscape while ensuring our people remain informed, engaged and represented.

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience leading Industrial Relations strategy within a unionised organisation
• A strong track record of successful collective bargaining and negotiation
• Experience managing complex employee relations and dispute resolution activities
• Deep knowledge of UK employment and Trade Union legislation
• Outstanding stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
• The ability to balance commercial priorities with positive employee relations outcomes
• Experience within rail, transport, engineering, manufacturing or other safety-critical environments would be particularly valuable.

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.

Hitachi brings together the world's greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities - and drive innovation for a better future. That's why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world's biggest challenges.

Our people love technology - and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there's no challenge too great for our pioneers.

And there's no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

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